Berlin dreams of Olympics: opportunities and resistance in the focus!

Berlin dreams of Olympics: opportunities and resistance in the focus!

Berlin, Deutschland - Berlin plans to organize the Olympic Games after almost 90 years. The application, which operates under the "Berlin+" concept, includes four other federal states: Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein. Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) emphasizes the central role of Berlin in this project. However, the exact time of the application has not yet been determined; The years 2036, 2040 or 2044.

The Olympic competitions are to take place in iconic locations, including the beach volleyball tournament at the Brandenburg Gate and the marathon along the famous museum island. The design provides for an Olympic village for 16,000 athletes west of the fair to make the infrastructure sustainable. But Andreas Schulze, chairman of the Left Group, emphasizes the concerns of many Berliners who consider the implementation to be unrealistic.

criticism and support

While the Berlin Senate is enthusiastic about the Olympic plans, resistance in the city is stirring. Critics, including the Greens and the Association for the Environment and Nature Conservation Germany (BUND), express concerns about the high costs and lack of sustainability. The "Nolympia Berlin" initiative is planning a referendum against the games, similar to the already in the 1990s, when an application against Sydney failed. Group leader Tobias Schulze (left) and other opposition members are calling for a transparent cost-benefit assessment.

On the part of the supporters, the parliamentary groups in the Brandenburg state parliament stand up for the application attempt. Kristy Augustin from the CDU, however, demands clarity about the planned financial support from the country. In the Berlin budget, 500,000 euros are already planned for dialogue events, whereby a financial aid of the federal government is expected.

infrastructure and sports facilities

The existing infrastructure places great value when applying. Several sports facilities in Berlin are to be modernized or repaired. These include the Olympic Stadium, which is currently being prepared for the European Football Championship. Investments of 18 million euros are planned for the modernization. The Olympic Stadium, built in 1936, could serve as a central event location, but urgently needs renovations. LSB President Thomas Härtel estimates costs of around 150 million euros.

The list of possible venues also includes the Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark, where over 110 million euros are planned for a new building with 20,000 places. In addition, the conversion of the Hohenschönhausen Sports Forum is already being planned. Berlin currently uses around 70 % of the sports facilities required and will need support from the surrounding regions to successfully survive in the race for the Olympic Games.

other competitors and schedule

Berlin does not see itself alone in the application. Other competitors are Munich, Hamburg and North Rhine-Westphalia (Rhein-Ruhr region). The German Olympic Sports Association will check the application concepts by the end of September 2025. The final decision about the German applicant should be made by autumn 2026. The Brandenburg Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke (SPD) also proposes additional competition sites in Brandenburg, including the Beetzsee for rowing and canoeing as well as a golf course in Bad Saarow.

The way to apply is therefore peppered with challenges and possibilities. While the opportunities for sport and infrastructure are praised, the criticism does not fail to materialize. A successful concept will be crucial to convince the opposition and to be able to survive in national and international competition.