A torchbearer lights the flame from the altar of the Lustgarten, a pleasure garden located in the centre of Berlin ©IOC

On the obverse, the traditional goddess of victory, holding a palm in her left hand and a winner’s crown in her right. A design used since the 1928 Games in Amsterdam , created by Florentine artist Giuseppe Cassioli (ITA - 1865-1942) and chosen after a competition organised by the International Olympic Committee in 1921. For these Games, the figure of victory is accompanied by the specific inscription: “ XI. OLYMPIADE BERLIN 1936 ”. On the reverse, an Olympic champion carried in triumph by the crowd, with the Olympic stadium in the background.

Bird’s-eye view of the Olympic Stadium during the Opening Ceremony: the Marathon Gate and the lighting of the cauldron ©IOC

Overall shot taken during the Opening Ceremony. In the centre is the Olympic cauldron; on the left is the Olympic flag ©IOC