The 1936 Olympic Games and their iconic flame function as a complex symbol in the novel. They initially represent the cherished ideals of international peace, unity, and fair play, but in the end, they reveal that even noble concepts like these can be corrupted for the purposes of political propaganda. At the Opening Ceremonies, Evie is swept up in the spectacle, seeing the torch relay as an “incredible” connection to ancient history and a symbol of shared humanity (15). However, this idealistic vision is a deliberate illusion constructed by the Nazi regime, which is essentially attempting to link modern Germany with the great societies of the past.

The novel uses the Olympic flame to explore the theme of The Hidden Realities of Corrupt Regimes, contrasting the polished, festive atmosphere of the Olympiastadion with the brutal political reality it is designed to mask. The Games are not a celebration of peace but a meticulously staged performance to legitimize a regime preparing for war and systematically persecuting its own citizens. Heinz makes this duality explicit when he tells Evie, “By day, this building is a celebration of international peace and sport. By night, it is a temple to fascism and war” (177). This statement clarifies that the Olympics have been weaponized, their symbolic meaning inverted to serve a sinister purpose. The flame, intended to be a beacon of hope and solidarity, instead illuminates a grand and dangerous lie. Only at the end of the novel, as Evie reflects on her time in Berlin, does the flame regain some of its symbolism as a representation of unity. The flame cannot stop the coming war or combat Nazi tyranny, but it can create and sustain hope for people like Karl and Heinz, even after the Games end.