Chapter 403: The Dawn of Peace
As the fire continued to burn across the lands of Austro-Hungary and the Werwolf Brigade performed its duties to the absolute letter of the contract they had signed with no remorse or lament.
A new balance of power was shifting through the world, and the winds of change were in the air. Germany’s dominance during the Great War had set the scene for a new era—one that could not be more perfectly displayed on the world stage than at the Summer Olympics.
Originally, the Olympic Games were supposed to be held in Berlin during the summer of 1916, but due to the ongoing global conflict, they had been tragically canceled, as most of the men who would normally participate were instead in the trenches, killing one another.
Germany was the sole exception to this rule. Under Bruno’s leadership it had begun to think in very long terms. Not years, or even decades ahead, but centuries. And he had the power to enforce policies that matched such a mindset.
As a result, students’ and athletes’ training in Germany’s various national athletic educational facilities were exempt from conscription altogether. And were even prohibited from voluntary enlistment. Rather, they had spent the last few years preparing for the events that had been rescheduled for the summer of 1918.
Over a decade ago, Bruno had established a style of physical education in Germany that allowed state-funded and nutritious meals provided to all students, and for those physically gifted in athletics to pursue a lifelong career in the field—one entirely sponsored by the German Reich.
Whether it was enhanced physical education across all public schools or the creation of dedicated centers of learning for the most athletically gifted students to pursue their natural talents, the youth of Germany were raised in a way that promoted a fit and active lifestyle.
Not only that, but there were even established universities, degrees, titles and reserve schools for those men aspiring towards greatness on the national and global stage. It wasn’t just athletes—there were also robust programs for trainers, coaches, and managers.
The system integrated biomechanics, psychology, and nutrition, using state-sponsored research to enhance performance. All the while, athletes could pursue careers as coaches or sports scientists after their competitive careers, often staying within the system.
By 1918, with these structures already in place since the early 1900s, one could say that Germany was well ahead of the rest of the world in the field of athletics—especially when it came to sports like wrestling and boxing, which the German Reich put great emphasis on when training young boys.