Walter Ulbricht, Physical Culture and Sport in the GDR (1949-1971)

Abstract

The politicization of sports is a topical subject of contemporary history. The study of nations’ history of sports and sports policies can yield insights into important aspects of foreign political regimes and their evolution. The GDR was a notable example of a country that, in line with the state ideology, systemically and effectively leveraged sports in domestic and foreign policy. This article examines the role of Walter Ulbricht, the leader of East Germany, in the sphere of physical education and sports from late 1940s to early 1970s. Through analysis of party and state documents and sports officials' memoirs, the authors explore Ulbricht's ideological principles and personal motives as well as his influence on the decision-making in the sports policy. We point out how his efforts in the sphere of physical education and sports contributed to his image of a “model teacher and friend of German sportspeople” We arrive at a conclusion that Ulbricht managed to build a well-functioning system geared towards the development of high-performance sports. On the one hand, this system raised the GDR to the status of a sporting superpower. On the other hand, the focus on elite sports resulted in a lack of resources for the development of mass sports (physical education). This contradicted the original intent of Ulbricht who, in keeping with the tenets of Marxism-Leninism, sought to make physical education an essential part of producing well-rounded socialist personalities.