Germany Hosts Jewish Olympics in 'Hitler's Stadium'

JERUSALEM, Israel -- The 14th European Maccabiah Games (Jewish Olympics) begin Wednesday with opening ceremonies at a sports complex in Berlin formerly known as "Hitler's stadium."

In 1936, Adolph Hitler sought to prevent Jewish athletes from competing in the Olympic Games in Berlin.

The Third Reich's infamous leader could never have imagined 70 years later, Germany would host some 2,500 Jewish athletes from 36 countries.

German Justice Minister Heiko Maas told Reuters Jewish life in Germany is "vibrant" again.

"It's not something we could possibly have ever hoped for after World War II and the Holocaust," Maas said, calling it "a gift for our country that we didn't deserve."

World Jewish Congress President Ron Lauder told Reuters "to celebrate the Jewish Maccabiah Games in Hitler's Olympic Stadium represents a triumph of good over evil."

"To those who say this is not the right place to hold these Games, I say to the contrary, this is exactly where they should be held," Lauder said.

The Maccabiah Games were established in 1929 in Prague to provide a venue for Jewish athletes to compete freely in an atmosphere devoid of discrimination.

The World War II-era wasn't the only time tragedy struck Jewish athletes. During the 1972 Summer Olympic Games in Munich, Palestinian terrorists affiliated with the PLO kidnapped and murdered 11 Israeli athletes and coaches.

Two years ago, 9,000 participants from 78 countries came to Israel to compete in the 19th Maccabiah Games.