You go to Berlin to see the Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, Brandenburg Gate.  You don’t go to Berlin to see the Olympic stadium, Olympiastadion.  But you should.

Take the U2 out to Olympiastadion, it’s a ways outside of the city and takes some time, but the stadium is worth it.  The history mixed with the athletic setting is a unique experience.  It is impossible to ignore the Nazi history of the stadium.

The stadium was built between 1934 and 1936.  Commissioned by the Nazi party, it was meant to be a show of strength.  Propaganda.  Instead, Jesse Owens, an African-American athlete won four gold medals in front of Hitler and the Nazi party.  Jesse Owens’ name still graces the wall of winners for the 100 meter, 200 meter, and long jump.  His fourth medal was for the 4×100 meter.

Today, the stadium has been renovated and in 2006, 60 years after Jesse Owens’ performance, was home to the final game of the 2006 World Cup.

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