Nazi's responsible for Olympic torch and modern version of Olympic openings?

Question

I saw a show on PBS which stated that the modern Olympics including the torch run were started by the Nazi's, I have however not found other information regarding this. I believe it but are there any good books or sites out there regarding this information

see I read the davinci code and as funny as it was it had nothing in there about my question thank a lot tho' bu tt wipe

Answer 1

The running of the Olympic torch is an ancient Greek tradition for the Olympics. I think it was to symbolize the coming of all the participants from different districts as they had no other way of communicating to each place when the games were to begin. Maybe also a symbol of Hermes the God. The Nazis may have contributed to the modern opening of the games. But I think definitely the running of the torch is traditional Greece. However, research it by all means.

Answer 2

In the context of the modern Games, the Olympic flame is a manifestation of the positive values that Man has always associated with fire. Like the messengers who proclaimed the sacred truce, the runners who carry the Olympic flame encourage the whole world to put down their weapons and turn towards the Games. The choice of Olympia as a departure point
emphasises the link between the Ancient and Modern Games and underlines the profound connection between these two events.
THE FIRST TORCH RELAY
In 1936, Carl Diem, Secretary General of the Organising Committee of the Games of the XI Olympiad in Berlin, proposed the inclusion of a torch relay in the programme of the Olympics. The flame was lit in Olympia and transported to Berlin via a torch relay.

Answer 3

The idea of lighting an Olympic flame for the duration of the Games derives from the ancient Greeks, who used a flame lit by the sun’s rays at Olympia. The concept was revived in 1928 in Amsterdam. The Olympic Torch Relay has been a tradition since 1952, when it was adopted from an idea proposed by a chairman of the 1936 Berlin Games. Symbolizing spirit, knowledge and life, this event delivers the Olympic flame from Greece to the host country.:-)