Post-War Exclusion: Antwerp 1920 and Paris 1924

Following the devastation of World War I, the 1920 Antwerp Olympics reflected the lingering animosity. The largely French-led IOC decided to exclude the entire Axis coalition, which included Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary, and Turkey. Thus, the central powers were disinvited.

These exclusions underscored the deep post-war resentment and the politicization of the Olympic Games, highlighting how global conflicts can impact even the world of sports. The tension was so intense that Germany was also excluded from the 1924 Paris Games. This decision stemmed from the immense suffering these nations had inflicted during the war, resulting in over 20 million casualties among the Allies.