The 1936 Summer Olympics has been one of the most controversial and politically-charged sporting event in history as it combined the Olympic ideals of "Citius, Altius, Fortius" with the Nazi ideals of racial superiority of the ubermenschen. Eminent German filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl captured the moments of the games in the highly-acclaimed documentary "Triumph of the Will" wherein it epitomized Adolf Hitler's ascent to the world stage.
The 1936 Summer Olympics has been one of the most controversial and politically-charged sporting event in history as it combined the Olympic ideals of "Citius, Altius, Fortius" with the Nazi ideals of racial superiority of the ubermenschen. Eminent German filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl captured the moments of the games in the highly-acclaimed documentary "Triumph of the Will" wherein it epitomized Adolf Hitler's ascent to the world stage.
But in the obscure and unknown events in the games is the participation of the Philippines, the only colony to participate separately from its colonial masters, the United States. This is the fourth Olympics that the country has participated and is hoping to improve from its three-bronze medal haul at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics.
The unfortunate thing about recalling about our sports history is that we have forgotten the athletes that competed and even winning medalists. Another thing to point out is that it's very difficult to find pictures of the athletes that competed in their respective disciplines. This article will try to describe the exploits of the people who brought glory to our country.
The unfortunate thing about recalling about our sports history is that we have forgotten the athletes that competed and even winning medalists. Another thing to point out is that it's very difficult to find pictures of the athletes that competed in their respective disciplines. This article will try to describe the exploits of the people who brought glory to our country.
The Road to Berlin
The Philippines had a relatively successful pre-Olympic performance at the 1934 Far Eastern Games in Manila. The best athletes include two-time Olympic bronze medalist Teofilo Yldefonso, 1932 Los Angeles Olympic bronze medalist Simeon Toribio and the legendary Olympic basketball squad led by Ambrosio Padilla, Jacinto Ciria Cruz, Charles Borck and Bibiano Ouano. Though not expected to be a force to reckon with, the Philippines came off a successful campaign in Los Angeles and hope to improve its performance.
The National Olympic Committee was headed by Jorge Vargas with Dr. Regino Ylanan as secretary.
The Germans prepared their Olympics so well that they forever changed the way it is hosted. They introduced the lighting of the Olympic torch overshadowed by a breathtaking opening ceremonies that included the massive Hindenburg blimp that captivated the mammoth crowd at the Olympiastadion. These remarkable events were captured by Riefenstahl's documentary films and television cameras. Several television viewing stations were installed in various areas of the city.
The Philippine flag was raised in the Olympic village with Hitler Youth members in the foreground |
All 34 athletes and officials arrived in Berlin on July 4, 1936 and were billeted at the Olympic village together with the Bolivians, Argentines and French. The German specially prepared this massive residential buildings for the athletes from the food to the various services offered. Despite the atmosphere of racism, Nazi policy of internationalism was the rule throughout the games.
Map of the Olympic Village |
A Nazi military attache talking to Filipino athletes |
Filipino athletes entering the Olympiastadion |
Going into the competition, the athletes were fired up and prepared themselves to be in this world-class 'Cold War' between the likes of Jesse Owens and the United States' selection of black 'super athletes' against the Aryans of the fatherland.
Let the Games Begin!
A) Athletics
Given the small frame and stature, Filipinos are able runners with the likes of Simeon Toribio and Miguel White. Just prior to the games, the athletic team's training is already launched in full gear.
Athletics team in training |
De Guzman's teammate Antonio Salcedo likewise did not fare well as he also bowed out from the competition. He finished 4th in the 3rd heat of the 100 meter dash and 5th in the 3rd heat of the 200 meter dash.
Miguel White won the bronze medal |
A split-second finish cost White the gold medal |
1932 Olympics bronze medalist Simeon Toribio |
B) Basketball
The Philippines has dominated the Asian circuit in the 1920's and 1930's that it is safe to assume that the team will do well in the inaugural Olympic basketball tournament. Since it hasn't played against non-Asian national teams, the Philippines is considered a darkhorse.
The team is composed of Charles Borck, Jacinto Ciria Cruz, Franco Marquicias, Primitivo Martinez, Jesus Marzan, Amador Obordo, Bibiano Ouano, Ambrosio Padilla, John Worrell and Fortunato Yambao.
Filipino cagers battling against the Mexicans |
C) Boxing
Filipino boxers fought with tenacity and unequalled fury in this tournament but weren't so lucky as they fell one by one. Oscar de Larrazabal and Jose Padilla Jr. reached the quarterfinals. In the flyweight division, Felipe Nunag defeated Panaitescu of Romania in the preliminary bout but was defeated by Degrysse of Belgium in the second bout thereby eliminating him from the competition. In the bantamweight division, Oscar de Larrazabal defeated V. Frederiksen of Denmark and Stasch of Germany to set up a quarterfinal match against eventual silver medalist Jackie Wilson of the United States in the quarterfinals. But Wilson overwhelmed Larrazabal by points. In the featherweight division, Felipe Gabuco's Olympic stint ended prematurely as his first fight against Kara of the United States in a no-contest. In the lightweight division, Jose Padilla Jr. defeated Schmedes of Germany and Cvraniak of Poland to arrange a quarterfinal match against eventual gold medalist Imre Harangi of Hungary. Harangi crushed Padilla on points. In the welterweight division, Simplicio de Castro started on a winning note against Sancassiani of Luxembourg but lost to Tritz of France on points.
D) Swimming
The Philippine Olympic swimming team is composed of Muslim swimmers, a Fil-Danish sensation and a two-time Olympic bronze medalist. In the 100 meter freestyle, three men entered the event that includes Jikirum Adjaluddin, Enrique Jurado and Jose Obial. Adjaluddin clocked in second (1:01.0) behind French-Williams of Great Britain (1:00.7) in the 3rd heat. However, Adjaluddin placed 5th in the 1st semifinal heat for a personal best time of 1:00.5. Both Jurado and Obial were eliminated in the preliminary heats. In the 100 meter backstroke, Fil-Danish sensation Nils Christensen placed 3rd in the 3rd preliminary heat to qualify to the semifinals. Unfortunately, despite a personally-best time, Christensen wound up 5th in the first semifinal heat.
In the 200 meter breaststroke, the chances for the Philippines were good as three swimmers qualified for the semifinal heats as Adjaluddin finish 4th, Arsad Alpad finished 2nd and Teofilo Yldefonso finished 2nd in the preliminary heats. But two swimmers missed the cut in the semifinal heats as Adjaluddin and Alpad finished 5th and 6th in the 1st semifinal heat and Yldefonso managed to qualify for the final heat by winding up 4th in the 2nd semifinal heat. In the finals, Yldefonso finished last. The Philippines' participation in the 800 meter relay was also a disastrous finish as the team placed 4th in the preliminary heat as Japan went on to win the gold.
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