During those months we endeavoured to complete all the preparatory work which could be tackled at such an early date in order to have it out of the way when the avalanche of preparations for the competitions would descend upon us. Considerable attention was given to the artistic aspect- of the Festival since we held this to be a special duty and privilege. We recalled that the reviver of the Olympic Games had often voiced definite wishes relative to a German presentation, and that even during the pre-war period Baron de Coubertin had suggested that the Ninth Symphony of Beethoven
4*
"We shall build . . ." The Fьhrer with the Reich Minister of the Interior, Dr. Frick, on the site of the Reich Sport Field on October 5th, 1933.
Left:
Olympic structures in the modern style. The circular passageway of the Berlin Olympic Stadium, a masterpiece of the architect, Werner March.
be combined with the opening ceremony, a desire which he repeated immediately after the awarding of the Games of 1936 to Germany. On the basis of extensive studies, Dr. Diem drew up the plan and compiled the text of the Festival Play, "Olympic Youth", which would form the concluding ceremony of the opening day, and for which a director and composers were selected following detailed conferences with members of the Propaganda Ministry. Had these preparations not been concluded as early as 1933, time would not have been available at a later date. The Executive Committee, which had been elected on January 24th, 1933, met on February 1st and again on May 2nd. Its task was to take into consideration the changes which had come about as a result of the National Socialist Revolution, to ensure the cooperation of the Reich Sport Leader, to introduce the principle of leadership and to take cognizance of the alterations emanating from the changes in the form of government. The new statute which was compiled as a result of these meetings was approved during a meeting on July 5th, 1933, this applying also to the question of financing the Games. In the meantime, the Reich Commission for Physical Training had decided to dissolve itself, and according to the statute, its property was taken over by the Reich Ministry of the Interior, the rights to the Stadium and Sport Forum thus being transferred directly to the Reich. The Reich, however, could not be the under-lessee of the Racing Association, and the Government announced that either the City or the Reich itself should assume official responsibility for the completion of the new construction. The principle laid down during the meeting of the Financial Committee on July 10th and emphasized by the Reich Government that the expenditures must be limited as much as possible was still in effect, and taking this fact into consideration, the building commission decided upon a definite construction programme at its meeting on July 15th, 1933. The main items included the extension of the Sport Forum, the enlargement of the Stadium, the construction of a swimming pool just outside the Stadium and a special, large entrance to the Stadium from the east which would be reached by means of a tunnel under the race course.