Christian Koller

Christian Koller is Director of the Swiss Social Archives, a titular professor of history at the University of Zurich and co-director of the ‘Fascism in Switzerland’ research project at the University of Fribourg.

From People’s Olympiad to civil war

Christian Koller 21.07.2026 The Olimpiada Popular, or People’s Olympiad, was scheduled to take place in Barcelona in July 1936 as a form of protest against the Olympic Games in Berlin. But on the day of the opening ceremony, the Catalan metropolis became the scene of fierce fighting as the Spanish Civil War broke out. Numerous athletes joined the ranks of those battling to defend the Republic.

‘Hitler’s Olympics’ was one of the topics of protest at the 1936 May Day demonstration in Zurich.

Sport as a class struggle

Christian Koller 02.05.2022 “Sport” as a one-size-fits-all concept has never existed; it is too heavily influenced by societal factors and social milieu. For example, there used to be a strong sports movement for workers.

Gym shorts as a symbol of equality: gymnasts at the SATUS Wiedikon in the 1930s.