Liechtenstein At The 1936 Summer Olympics
It was only at these games that Liechtenstein realized their flag was identical to that of Haiti. This prompted Liechtenstein to add the crown found in their current flag so that both flags could be distinguishable from each other at the opening ceremony. The modified design made in the ceremony was officially adopted by Liechtenstein on 24 June 1937.
Background
Liechtenstein competed at these Games from 1 to 16 August 1936, which marked its debut in the Summer Olympics. It was the nation's second appearance at an Olympic Games after competing in the 1936 Winter Olympics held in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, a few months prior. Four athletes were sent to the competition. In order to do so, the Liechtenstein Olympic Committee was established the previous year under the initiative of Woldemar von Falz-Fein and Eduard von Falz-Fein.
Delegation
The Liechtenstein delegation consisted of nine people. The officials were Alexander Frick, who was the president of the Liechtenstein committee for the Games, Eduard Theodor von Falz-Fein as the attaché and part of the jury in the shooting events, and Franz I, Prince of Liechtenstein, as a representative of the International Olympic Committee. The athletes that competed were runner Xaver Frick, who competed in the men's 100 metres and 200 metres, runner and thrower Oskar Ospelt, who competed in the 100 metres and men's discus throw, cyclist Adolf Schreiber, who competed in the men's road race, and sport shooters Augustin Hilty, Rudolf Jehle, and Rudolf Senti, who all competed in the men's 50 metre rifle prone.
Opening ceremony and flag incident
Oskar Ospelt carried the flag for the nation at the opening ceremony. Before the opening ceremony, the delegations of Haiti and Liechtenstein noticed that the civil flag of Haiti was identical to that of the flag of Liechtenstein. As a result, both nations agreed to carry different flags during the ceremony. Liechtenstein received approval from their government to carry the flag upside-down and add a "Prince's Hat" crown in the corner, while Haiti added the national crest in order to make it into the state flag instead. This directly led to Liechtenstein adding the crown to their flag. This modified design was adopted on 24 June 1937.
