Jewish Women Fencers Who Defied Hitler at the 1936 Olympics

Ilona Elek-Schacherer, Helene Mayer, and Ellen Müller-Preis achieved unprecedented success in Berlin, challenging Nazi antisemitism.

The 1936 Berlin Olympics saw Jewish fencers Ilona Elek-Schacherer, Helene Mayer, and Ellen Müller-Preis win gold, silver, and bronze respectively.
Helene Mayer controversially gave the Nazi salute on the podium, a decision believed to have ensured her family's safety.
Elek-Schacherer won multiple Olympic and world championship medals, becoming one of the most decorated female fencers in history.
Müller-Preis, denied the chance to represent Germany due to antisemitism, won gold for Austria in 1932 and continued her Olympic career post-WWII.
The 2024 Paris Olympics have reignited interest in Jewish fencers, with three Jewish Americans winning medals.