Official Pass for the 1932 Summer Olympic Games

Official Pass for the 1932 Summer Olympic Games

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Description (Brief)
Brown leather holder which opens to reveal an official pass to the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California. This belonged to the donor's father, Ben Levine. Levine was a participant in the development of amateur sports competition from 1902 as a boy of 13 when he went to work for James Sullivan, President of the Amateur Athletic Union until his retirement from the A.A.U. in 1968. Levine's primary contribution was to Amateur boxing, which he first promoted prior to 1920. He staged the first Golden Gloves and was the Assistant Manager of the U.S. Boxing teams at the 1924 and 1928 Olympic Games and an international jurist in boxing at the Olympics in 1932.
The 1932 Summer Olympics, also known as the Games of the X Olympiad were held in Los Angeles, California and included 37 countries, 1,206 men and 126 women athletes participating, fewer than the 1928 Games as the depression kept many athletes from making the trip. Because of the expense of putting on the Games, many existing venues were used including the Rose Bowl and the LA Coliseum. An official Olympic Village debuted at the 1932 Games consisting of hundreds of buildings to house and take care of the athletes becoming the standard for future games. The victory podium was first used at the Summer Games along with the debut of the Olympic mascot; a Scottish Terrier named Smoky. American athlete Babe Didrikson was a standout, winning two gold medals in the javelin and hurdles events although earned silver in high jump after being penalized for an illegal jump-off. The United States led the medal count with 103.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
pass, summer olympics
pass, olympics
Date made
1932
user
Levine, Ben
maker
Jeffries Banknote Company
place made
United States: California, Los Angeles
used
United States: California, Los Angeles
Physical Description
leather (overall material)
paper (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 6 in x 3 3/4 in; 15.24 cm x 9.525 cm
ID Number
1991.0049.21
catalog number
1991.0049.21
accession number
1991.0049
Credit Line
Bertram Levine
subject
Sports
Boxing
Amateur
Olympics
Olympic Summer Games: Los Angeles, 1932
See more items in
Culture and the Arts: Sport and Leisure
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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