Cornelius Johnson, winner of the gold medal at the Olympics, in a high jump. , 1936. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2017767777/.
The 1936 Olympic Games were held in Nazi Germany. The men’s high jump was dominated by the American team- Cornelius Johnson won the gold, David Albritton the silver, and Delos Thurber the bronze. Johnson and Albritton were Black.
David Albritton. Author unknown.
On the first day Hitler made a point to congratulate all the gold medalists with a handshake. Rather than shake Johnson’s hand, Hitler left the stadium before the ceremony. He was then reprimanded by the Olympic Committee who told him he would have to shake all the gold medalists’ hands or none. The Führer opted for none.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the US president, also snubbed the Black American Olympians, declining to invite them to the traditional White House ceremony along with their White counterparts.
Sources:
Los Angeles oak tree carries legacy of forgotten 1936 Olympic athlete- CBS Mornings
Athlete Bio: Cornelius Johnson- USATF
David D. Albritton- Ohio Statehouse