Special care was taken in the selection of a design for the diploma, which, according to the Olympic Statutes, should be presented to the victors in addition to the medals. Twelve leading German graphic artists were invited to submit designs, and the results varied widely. The prize-winning design of Professor Ernst Boehm, Berlin, represented an entirely new conception of such a diploma. He utilized white cardboard for his diploma, the Brandenburg Gate and Olympic Bell, as symbols of the Games, being printed on a gilt background, while the Olympic Stadium embossed in white formed the centre piece. The central portion of the certificate was divided by a gold band upon which the word, "Ehrenurkunde" was inscribed. Above it the inscription, "XI. Olympiade Berlin 1936," was engraved in red on a white background and the lower part contained the name of the victor, his country and the sport in which he participated. At the bottom of the diploma was another gold band upon which the facsimile signatures of the Presidents of the International Olympic Committee and Organizing Committee as well as the five Olympic rings in their original colours were embossed. The Berlin firm, Erasmus-Drruck GmbH, undertook the production of these diplomas, an extremely difficult task because of the unusual material used, and provided a total of 1,500, including appropriate folders. The paper was contributed by the firm, J. W. Zander, Berlin, first-rate paper being provided for this purpose.
A special commemoration diploma was designed for the participants in the Olympic torch relay run from Olympia to Berlin, this being created by the Berlin painter and graphic artist, Honig. His design revealed the fire altar and Olympic rings in yellow-brown tones with the eagle as a background and the Olympic Bell in colourless embossing. Each certificate contained the facsimile signature of the President of the Organizing Committee and was inscribed with the name of the participant. The relationship between this torch relay run of the modern Olympic Games and the ancient festival was expressed in the brochures published in connection with this event, these being designed in an especially artistic manner. The reproduction of a Hellenic relief from the Palazzo Colonna in Rome was utilized for the cover, this having been generously permitted by the Prince of Colonna. The relief, which depicts two Erotes as torch bearers, was used by the creator of the Olympic Bell, Walter E. Lemcke, as the basis of his design.
During the journey to Athens for the meeting of the International Olympic Committee in 1934, the important question concerning the festive aspect of the Games was discussed. It was decided that the International Olympic Committee, as the supreme senate of physical culture, should constitute a unit at the Olympic Games and should be distinguished as such. The Secretary-General, Dr. Diem, therefore proposed that the form generally used for magistrates and scholastic dignitaries be adhered to, and since it was deemed impractical to institute robes of office, a large gold chain should be worn to symbolize the membership in the International Olympic Committee. This proposal was approved by the Olympic Committee. Six medallions were set into the links of a gold-plated, hand-worked chain, these being reproductions of antique originals from the period between 300 and 500 B.C. depicting a torch-runner, javelin-thrower, discus-thrower, two wrestlers, a weapon-runner and a youth with jumping weights. The five enamelled Olympic rings were attached to a large medallion revealing a reproduction of the head of Zeus from a Greek engraved gem in the Berlin State Museum. The reverse side of the medallion contained the inscription, "XI. Olympiade Berlin 1936," and space for additional Olympic Festivals. This chain was also created by the Berlin sculptor, Herr Lemcke, whose designs met with the approval of the President of the Organizing Committee. According to the regulations drawn up, these chains become the permanent property of the International Olympic Committee, and shall be preserved at the headquarters of the Secretary-General