The Germans: no sports but only drills and exercises?

The essay is an attempt to critically discuss the assumption, whether sport can be a means to compensate social constraints in the routines of life in modern societies. The thesis is crucial for the sociological concept and translation of the German original text "uber die Deutschen" understanding of sport as considered in the work of Norbert Elias and Eric Dunning (1996). In consequence, this thesis is also relevant for the vision of Olympic sport to contribute for a more peaceful life through bodily education, sports and games. In this essay, the body culture in Germany is mainly respected. Historical research on gymnastics, sports, and games in German society and culture since about 1900 suggests that German society did indeed provide, through games and sports, and particularly for its younger members, 'sufficient opportunities for the enjoyable excitement of a struggle'. However, instead of a prospering culture of sports, the Germans descended into barbarism only a few years later when the Nazi regime came to power.