Haunting lesson of Nazi Olympics
CNN) -- Usually when we talk about the 1936 Olympics in Berlin we focus on two men -- Adolf Hitler and Jesse Owens -- and rightfully so. They are the two with an undeniable impact on history, albeit in vastly different ways.
But in light of President Barack Obama's recent remarks on "The Tonight Show" denouncing Russia's new anti-gay laws, laws that have led to bloodshed in the streets, it is important that we remember Marty Glickman and Sam Stoller.
They too were at those games. They too left a mark.
You see, the day before they were scheduled to run in the 400-meter relay, their coach, Dean Cromwell, replaced them.
They were not injured.
They did not break any team rules nor were they disqualified for any violations.
They were, however, Jewish, and this was Nazi Germany, which had adopted the Nuremberg laws limiting Jewish citizens' rights a year earlier. Apparently, Cromwell, along with leaders from the U.S. Olympic Committee, decided it would be best if Glickman and Stoller did not compete.
At the time I'm sure it seemed like a decision that would only hurt the two men. After all, the 400, led by Owens, still won gold.
Today we know better.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/07/opinion/granderson-anti-gay-russian-olympics/index.html?hpt=hp_t4
It just boggles the mind of the people that don't care what happens at the 2014 Olympics. Shame on them. Shame, shame, shame.
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P.S. I hate trying to respond on a cell phone. 
