On April 25, 1933 the Nazis’ Sports Office ordered public sport and gymnastic organizations to implement an “Aryans only” policy. Initially, exceptions were made for Jewish war veterans and the families of Jewish soldiers who had died in the First World War.

German sports clubs responded by introducing Aryan-only clauses in their membership rules. Many Jewish athletes found themselves suddenly excluded and disallowed from competing against non-Jews.

Much like their non-Jewish counterparts, Jewish athletes had embraced sport as a way of challenging themselves to excel physically. Sport was also seen as a way of countering antisemitic stereotypes of Jews and Jewish bodies as “weak.” Many had hoped that athletic success could mean public recognition and acceptance. These hopes were now dashed. The only organized option left to German Jewish athletes who wished to continue training was to leave Germany or join a Jewish sports club.