History

The DRL Sports Badge was initially introduced in 1913 by the Deutscher Reichs Ausschuß für Tauglichkeit (DRA) in two grades, Bronze and Gold. The Badge was conferred upon men who successfully passed the national physical fitness exam. In 1920, a silver grade was introduced, and as of 1921, women were also eligible to receive the decoration. The first version of the badge features the initials of “DRA”.

In 1933, the DRL (Deutscher Reichsbund für Leibesübungen) became to regulate the national physical fitness exam. To reflect the name of the organisation, the second version of the badge featured the initials “DRL” on the obverse. In 1937, a swastika was added to the obverse of the badge.

The Sports Badge for War Disabled was introduced in 1942 and it was conferred upon war disabled soldiers who participated in an organised physical fitness test. The DRL designed a fitness test with a variety of activities, which were appropriate for an individual’s level or type of disability.