Die Stiftung Deutsche Sporthilfe im „Dritten Reich“: Ein Beitrag zur illegalen Budgetierung des NS-Sports

One of the first lasting official acts of the Reich Sports Leader, Hans von Tschammer und Osten, was the establishment of the Hilfsfonds für den Deutschen Sport in October 1933. This institution, which was renamed Stiftung Deutsche Sporthilfe (German Sports Aid Foundation) in April 1936, has nevertheless not received any attention in sports history research to date. In fact, after 1933, the foundation proved to be one of the most important financing instruments for Reichssportführer (Reich Sports Leader) Hans von Tschammer und Osten. He used the foundation’s infrastructure and funds to build the organisational structures of National Socialist sport. Since this was contrary to the foundation’s statutes, the Reich Sports Leader was at a loss for explanation. The annual reports of the Reichsrechnungshof (Reich Court of Auditors) always pointed out the illegal use of the foundation’s funds. These reports, which sports history researchers have so far ignored, also reveal the precarious financing of Nazi sport in the early years of the Hitler regime. The files offer evidence for the corruption in the area of the Reich Sports Leader. At the same time, they provide an insight into the budget development of the Hohenlychen Sports Clinic, which benefited from foundation funds, particularly after the 1936 Olympic Games, and was increasingly influenced by the Schutzstaffel (SS).