Racism Has No Place in Sport

The 1936 Berlin handshake · 赛道之上，人人平等

Have you heard the inspiring story about a runner who made history at the Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany in 1936? At this time, the world was on the verge of war. There was much hatred and fear.

But athletics and sportsmanship proved that on the field, skin colour did not matter. Listen to what happened that day in Berlin.

There were two outstanding athletes competing in the long jump. One was a German athlete, Lutz Long. The other was an African-American, Jesse Owens.

A Nazi government was in power in Germany. Its leader, Adolph Hitler, wanted Lutz Long to defeat the American and prove that white people were better than the others.

In his last jump, Jesse Owens defeated the German. Hitler left the podium before the medal ceremony.

The German athlete, Long, did not share his leader's prejudice. Although he lost to the American, the German went over to congratulate the winner. The two long jumpers walked off the field, arm in arm. There was no place in the hearts of either man for Hitler's racism.

Jesse Owens went on to be the hero of the Berlin Games, winning four gold medals.

Owens said he wasn't bothered by Hitler's actions. "I didn't go to Berlin to shake hands with him anyway," was his comment.

In fact, Germany wasn't the only country in the world where people experienced racism. In another famous quote Owens said, "I wasn't invited to shake hands with Hitler. But I wasn't invited to the White House to shake hands with the President either."

Sometimes, it takes two common people to join hands in the spirit of sport to teach the world about equality and fairness.

Racism Has No Place in Sport — Two athletes, one lesson in fairness

Have you heard the i(1)__________ story about a runner who made history at the Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany in 1936? At this time, the world was on the verge of war. There was much h(2)__________ and fear.

But athletics and s(3)__________ proved that on the field, skin colour did not matter. Listen to what happened that day in Berlin.

There were two o(4)__________ athletes competing in the long jump. One was a German athlete, Lutz Long. The other was an African-American, Jesse Owens.

A Nazi government was in power in Germany. Its leader, Adolph Hitler, wanted Lutz Long to d(5)__________ the American and prove that white people were better than the others.

In his last jump, Jesse Owens defeated the German. Hitler left the p(6)__________ before the medal ceremony.

The German athlete, Long, did not share his leader's p(7)__________. Although he lost to the American, the German went over to c(8)__________ the winner. The two long jumpers walked off the field, arm in arm. There was no place in the hearts of either man for Hitler's racism.

Jesse Owens went on to be the hero of the Berlin Games, winning four gold medals.

Owens said he wasn't bothered by Hitler's actions. "I didn't go to Berlin to shake hands with him anyway," was his c(9)__________.

In fact, Germany wasn't the only country in the world where people experienced racism. In another famous quote Owens said, "I wasn't invited to shake hands with Hitler. But I wasn't invited to the White House to shake hands with the President either."

Sometimes, it takes two common people to join hands in the spirit of sport to teach the world about e(10)__________ and fairness.

📌 重点单词 · Key Vocabulary

🔗 重点词组 · Key Phrases

💡 语法小贴士 · Grammar Tips

🏅 文化拓展 · 1936，那个改变奥运史的时刻

这是一个真实的历史故事：1936 年柏林奥运会，纳粹德国本想把它办成"雅利安人种优越论"的展示会，美国黑人运动员杰西·欧文斯却一举夺得 100 米、200 米、跳远、4×100 米接力四枚金牌，用成绩粉碎了种族优越的谎言。德国选手卢茨·朗虽败犹荣，主动上前祝贺并与欧文斯手挽手离场——这一幕成为奥运史上最经典的镜头之一。

欧文斯那句「我也没被邀请去白宫」尤其发人深省：当时美国仍实行种族隔离制度，他凯旋回国后同样处处受歧视。一句话点破了偏见的普遍性——它不专属某个国家、某种制度。直到 1976 年，欧文斯才获颁美国最高平民荣誉"总统自由勋章"，迟到的正义也印证了 fighting for equality 需要几代人的努力。

结尾那句 it takes two common people to join hands in the spirit of sport 是全文点睛之笔：体育最动人的时刻，往往不是金牌落定的瞬间，而是败者挽起胜者手臂走向出口的那一刻。计分牌只认成绩，赛道之上人人平等——这，就是 sport 留给世界最好的遗产。