Olympics Series

Olympics 1928 – Amsterdam

Amsterdam was a picture of peace and harmony and Germany’s return to the Games seemed to offer further proof that, ten years after the Great War, the world was unified in peace. As the 9 th Games took place in the carefree atmosphere of a country that had not even taken part in the 1914 – 18 war, how could anyone have imagined the Wall Street crash to come the following year with its disastrous effects on the world economy? How could the rise of Adolf Hitler’s National Socialists have been anticipated, when elections for the German legislature had seen his party win barely 2.6 % of the vote?

The general atmosphere was one conducive to globalization, ahead of its time. Athletes from 28 nations, including Asia for the first time, won Gold medals, a record that would not be surpassed for another 40 years.

Athletics and gymnastics were finally opened to women and although tennis was withdrawn, female participation in Amsterdam was double that of the 1924 Games. Pierre de Coubertin, by now a sick man, never saw the Olympic flame burn in Amsterdam. He did not even attend the Dutch – hosted Games, instead sending an official farewell message to the participants.

The passing of the ‘Father of the Olympic Games’ went by almost unnoticed and it signified the end of an era – never again would the Games be reliant upon the will and personality of one man. The Olympic movement was here to stay.

The middle distance running events were completely dominated by the Finns; who won the 1500, 5,000, 10,000 and the 3,000 meters Steeplechase. And inevitably, alongside these new successes came endless debates. ‘Racial superiority’ and ‘Superiority of way of life and training methods’ were attributed to the victories. The time of the specialist trainers had arrived, wherein coaches for different distances viz short, middle and long was emerging as a doctrine. No single country dominated the 100 meters and five different nations were represented by the six finalists. Percy Williams of Canada had the distinction of making it a double, by winning both the 100 and 200 meters sprints. Other than athletics, Rowing was another popular discipline which enthralled the fans. The 29 year old Australian, Henry Pearce came out as a rowing giant for his prowess and stature.

The diminutive Mohammed Boughera El Ouafi, had the strongest legs in the marathon but it was, above all, his tactics that sealed victory.

The Games in Brief

Opening Date                               17 May 1928

Closing Date                                12 August 1928

Host Nation                                  Netherlands

Nations Represented                    46

Athletes                                        3,014 (290 women, 2,724 men)

Sports                                            9 (7 open to women)

Games officially opened by         Prince Hendrik of Holland

Olympic Flame lit                        For the first time, during the Opening Ceremony

Olympic oath read by                  Henry Denis (football)

IOC President                              Henri de Baillet-Latour, Belgium

At the finish of the 800 meters event several women collapsed, leading to a lively debate whether they should participate in such a race. Gold medals were won by 28 different nations, a record which remained unequalled for almost forty years. Germany participated in the Games after a gap of 16 years and for the first time a Gold medal was won by an Asian athlete, Japan’s Mikio Oda in the Triple Jump event.

PS -: Matter researched from the Olympic Museum in Lausanne.

Brigadier (retd) S D Dangwal

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