With the number of participating nations dropped from 16 to 15 due to Hitler 's annexation of Austria with anti-fascist protests accompanying the German and Italian teams .
Hitler 's annexation of Austria is the political climate threatened at times to overshadow the event .
With the number of participating nations dropped from 16 to 15 due to Hitler 's annexation of Austria , the political climate threatened at times to overshadow the event , with anti-fascist protests accompanying the German and Italian teams .