The only possible quarters for the yachtsmen were a hotel at the water's edge and the building of the Imperial Yacht Club. Since it was necessary also to provide quarters for the working committees close to the water, these two buildings were far from adequate. Lack of space prevented the construction of an Olympic Village similar to that in Berlin. Therefore it was decided to build a two-storied house on the only vacant space along Hindenburg Ufer. This was to be a simple but dignified structure, especially suited for the Olympic yachtsmen. Early in March, 1935, the City of Kiel ordered the construction, and in a few months the building was completed, according to the plans of the Hamburg architect, Kurt Schmidt. The city received a subsidy from the Reich, which permitted the completion of the Olympic Home in June, 1935. It was dedicated and opened during the Kiel Regatta Week, which took place in that month. As a permanent memorial of the Yachting Olympiad in Germany, the five Olympic rings appear as a beautiful ornament on the front of the red brick building, facing Hindenburg Ufer. The back of the building adjoins the Dьsternbrook Grove. The guests could see the blue water of the Bay and the green woods in the background. Most of the single rooms are in this part of the building. The balance of the total of 92 rooms are in the
broader but shorter north wing. The back of this wing is even with the main part of the building, but its front is set well back from Hindenburg Ufer. In the triangle on the side toward the water, which results from the position of the two wings at right angles to each other, a terrace has been created, from which one has a wonderful view of the Bay and the anchored battleships. The social room is in the north wing, on the side towards the terrace. In form it resembles an ancient Nordic hall. This room was a pleasant meeting place for the Olympic competitors from all parts of the world. In addition to the rooms required for the guests, there were adequate offices for the Olympic headquarters and the principal committees.
One hundred competitors from foreign countries were quartered in the "Olympic Home" of the yachtsmen, which had been built especially for the Olympiad. They were from the following countries :
|
U.S.A.................. |
Denmark ........ |
....... 15 |
|
|
Italy ................... |
France .......... |
....... 15 |
|
|
Belgium ................ |
Japan ........... |
....... 8 |
|
|
Uruguay ............... |
Argentina ....... |
....... 12 |
|
|
Holland ................ |
Hungary ........ |
....... 2 |
In addition there were 6 German yachtsmen and 9 officials of the foreign teams, making a total of 115.
The view over the blue water of the estuary from the terrace.
The following competitors were quartered in Hotel Bellevue, principally in order to provide them with lodgings as near as possible to the Olympic Harbour, and also to comply with special wishes:
Norway................ 15 Finland ................ 15
Brazil.................. 2 Esthonia ............... 2