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Rudi Ball (March 27, 1910 - September 1975), born in Berlin, Germany, was one of two athletes of Jewish descent to represent Germany in the 1936 Summer Olympic Games in Berlin. The other Jewish athlete was Helene Mayer ^[1].

During his playing career, spanning from 1928 to 1952 he won the German Championship 8 times (1928-1944) and participated for Germany in the 1932 and 1936 Olympic Winter Games and in four World Championships 1930-1938.

He played in total 49 official games for Germany between 1929 and 1938 and scored 19 goals. Ball was voted as the best European ice hockey player in a French Sports Magazine in 1930. Ball was considered one of the most popular and dreaded European ice hockey players during the Second World War period.

He and his two brothers, Gerhard Ball and Heinz Ball, represented Germany in many international competitions in their hockey careers. While reasonably short, Ball was considered extremely fast on the ice and was admired as having much skill and ability.

Ball was included in the 1932 Germany ice hockey team, to play at the 1932 Olympic games, held in Lake Placid. The German team won the bronze medal.

In 1936, having Jewish heritage, Ball (the 25-year-old captain) was initially overlooked for selection in the German ice hockey team. His good friend and teammate, Gustav Jaenecke, refused to play unless Ball was included. Ball also believed a deal could be struck to save his family in Germany if he returned to play in the games ^[2]. The German selectors also realized that without Ball and Jaenecke the team would not stand a chance of winning. Another factor was that the Nazi party could not overlook the fact that Ball was without doubt one of the leading athletes in his sport. With much controversy Ball was included in the German team to play at the 1936 Olympic games. The deal for Ball's family to leave Germany was also agreed. After Ball was injured, the Germans took 5th place in the tournament.

Ball followed his brother, Heinz, to South Africa in 1948.

Hall of Fame

Ball was inducted into the International Ice Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004.

References

^ Tatz, C:"Sporting Traditions",aafla.org,1984
^ Mandell, R:"The Nazi Olympics", University of Illinois Press, 1987

External links

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[1] Tatz, C:"Sporting Traditions",aafla.org,1984

[2] Mandell, R:"The Nazi Olympics", University of Illinois Press, 1987

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-'''Rudi Ball''' ([[March 27]], [[1910]] - September [[1975]]), born in Berlin, [[Germany]], was one of two athletes of [[Jewish]] descent to represent [[Germany]] in the [[1936]] [[1936 Summer Olympics|Summer Olympic Games]] in [[Berlin]]. The other [[Jewish]] athlete was [[Helene Mayer]].
+'''Rudi Ball''' ([[March 27]], [[1910]] - September [[1975]]), born in Berlin, [[Germany]], was one of two athletes of [[Jewish]] descent to represent [[Germany]] in the [[1936]] [[1936 Summer Olympics|Summer Olympic Games]] in [[Berlin]]. The other [[Jewish]] athlete was [[Helene Mayer]] <ref>Tatz, C:"Sporting Traditions",aafla.org,1984</ref>.
 During his playing career, spanning from 1928 to 1952 he won the German Championship 8 times (1928-1944) and participated for Germany in the 1932 and 1936 Olympic Winter Games and in four World Championships 1930-1938.