Jamaica - 100-Meter Finish, National Archives Identifier 219777302
Going for the Gold
As the 2024 Summer Olympics winds down in Paris, we thought this would be a good week to look at some records of past Olympic games in the National Archives Catalog.
In most countries an arm of the national government plays a direct role in the development of the Olympic team. The United States government on the other hand has mostly avoided direct involvement, even when the U.S. was the host nation.
Since the federal government isn’t directly involved with the Olympics, documentation of the Olympics in federal records is sparse. The earliest Olympics with a significant photographic record in the catalog is the infamous 1936 Olympics held in Berlin. American sprinter and long jumper Jesse Owens won four gold medals at that Olympics.
Photograph of Jesse Owens at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany, National Archives Identifier 14728028
In 1976, former college football player, Gerald Ford, took an interest in developing Olympic athletes, in part because of a perceived decline in American performance at the games.
Photograph of President Gerald Ford Watching Track and Field Athletes Practice for the 1976 Summer Olympics at New York State University College Campus in Plattsburgh, New York,National Archives Identifier 7062579
The first president to attend the Olympics in his capacity as president was Ronald Reagan in 1984 when Los Angeles hosted the games (Gov. Franklin Roosevelt and Vice-President Richard Nixon, however, both attended the games before becoming president).
Left: President Ronald Reagan During a Ceremony to Welcome Home The United States Olympic Team Members Who Competed in Seoul, Korea Which Includes Robert Helmick Greg Barton Matt Biondi Janet Evans Florence Griffith Joyner and Andrew Maynard on The South Lawn, National Archives Identifier 75856325; Right: Members of the US Olympics Team wave to spectators as they march into the LA Coliseum during the opening ceremonies for the 1984 Summer Olympics, National Archives Identifier, 6386474
In 1984, the U.S. team had over 500 athletes who earned 174 medals. As in every modern game, many active members of the military participated, and they are well documented in the Catalog.
Clockwise from upper left: ENSIGN (ENS) David Robinson of the US Olympic men's basketball team watches the action from the bench in the preliminary game against the team from China during the XXIV Olympic Games, National Archives Identifier 6435269; Army Captain Gloria Parmentier from Fort Benning, Georgia, practices for the shooting competition at the 1984 Summer Olympics, National Archives Identifier 6380181; Army Captain Leo White, left, competes in a judo match during the 1984 Summer Olympics, National Archives Identifier 6386494; Straight on, medium shot of ENSIGN Henry Nuzum (Left) and Mike Ferry as they stroke their way toward a second place finish Tuesday, September 19th, 2000, during the semi finals or repechage of the Men's Double Sculls round in the Sydney Olympics. Nuzum and Ferry moved on to the next round of semi finals on Thursday, September 21st, 2000, National Archives Identifier 6516371
Since Ronald Reagan, several presidents and first ladies have attended the Olympic Games, both at home and abroad.
Left: President George W. Bush Hits a Volleyball to U.S. Women's Beach Volleyball Team Member Misty May-Treanor, National Archives Identifier, 148035494; Right: First Lady Michelle Obama at London Olympics, National Archives Identifier, 235156699
In 1948, British veterans of World War II who had suffered spinal cord injuries participated in a competition organized by Stoke Mandeville Hospital. Called the “International Wheelchair Games,” they coincided with the 1948 London Olympics. They continued to be held in London until 1960 when they moved to Rome, the home of the 1960 Olympics. These games were the first open to non-veterans and are considered the first Paralympic Games.
President George W. Bush Shakes Hands with U.S. Paralympics Track and Field Team Member Scott Winkler,National Archives Identifier, 176248219
The Paralympics continued to evolve to include disabled athletes who did not use wheelchairs. They are also held every four years, and since the Seoul games of 1988, they have taken place right after the Olympics and used the same venues.
President Barack Obama Honors the 2012 United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams at the White House,National Archives Identifier, 176551504
In four years, the Summer Olympics and Paralympics will be back in Los Angeles. We look forward to cheering on athletes from around the world.
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