Four cities are fighting for the Olympic Games: Who wins the contract?

Four cities are fighting for the Olympic Games: Who wins the contract?

The German Olympic Sports Association (DOSB) is urging Germany to send Germany into the race for the Olympic and Paralympic Games between 2036 and 2044. DOSB boss Thomas Weikert described the opportunities for a successful application as good and emphasized that the best concept for the nation should be found in the selection process. Until the registration deadline on Saturday, four cities and regions have registered with their applications: Berlin, Munich, Hamburg and the Rhein-Ruhr region. Weikert was positive about the four high-quality concepts and plans to further develop them with the applicants by the end of September to present them on December 6th at a general meeting in Frankfurt am Main, as the Weser-Kurier reports.

All applicants intend to actively involve citizens in their plans, which is particularly important after earlier applications from cities such as Munich and Hamburg have failed despite sporting ambitions. This citizen participation is a central prerequisite for the implementation of large sporting events and reflects the social importance of the Olympic movement, according to the DOSB.

participation and social effects

In the discussion about the social effects of sport, Weikert also emphasizes the added value of major sports events. Olympic Games can act as catalysts for social change and international cooperation. This is also supported by the anticipation of the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, in which a majority of those surveyed indicate that they are positively influenced by the Olympic Games.

The cities of Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and the Rhein-Ruhr region have already actively developed their concepts. In Berlin on May 27th, among other things, Prime Minister and Saxony's Interior Minister presented their ideas. Governing Mayor Kai Wegner underlined the opportunity for peace and solidarity in the city. North Rhine-Westphalia presented his plans on May 28th in the German Sports and Olympic Museum in Cologne. Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst emphasized the focus on the athletes and a sports -loving population.

Future view and schedule

There are already further steps planned: The applicants are called up by the end of June 2026 to carry out referenders for social support. Munich is planning a citizens' vote for October 26, while Hamburg and North Rhine-Westphalia want to carry out their integration in spring 2026. The final decision about the German applicant for the Olympic Games is to be made by autumn 2026 in an extraordinary DOSB general meeting.

The last discontinuation of the Olympic Games in Germany took place in 1972 in Munich. It remains unclear whether Germany would like to apply for 2036, 2040 or 2044. The evaluation criteria and the composition of the selection committee have also not yet been determined, which increases the tension by further developments.