Germany is pursuing the opportunity to stage the Olympic Games in 2036, 2040, or 2044. On Saturday, the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) will hold a vote to determine which of three city bids—Munich, Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr, or Berlin—will receive its official endorsement.
Munich currently holds the advantage, bolstered by strong political and public backing. Championed under the slogan “For Games with heart and soul,” the bid prioritizes sustainability by utilizing the existing 1972 Olympic Park as its central hub. Bid documents indicate that approximately 90% of competition venues are situated within 30 kilometers of the Olympic Village, with most facilities already in place and only a handful of temporary structures required.
Munich Mayor Dominik Krause highlighted the city’s readiness, telling the municipal website _muenchen.de_ that the area offers ideal conditions for the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. He described hosting the event as an investment in the future, citing significant social value and the acceleration of essential urban development and infrastructure projects. Public sentiment also favors the bid; a city referendum last October saw more than 305,000 voters, with 66.4% supporting the campaign.
In contrast, Berlin faces substantial political headwinds. Following Sunday’s election, where the Left Party (Die Linke) secured the most votes, Elif Eralp is poised to become the city-state’s new governing mayor. Eralp has publicly opposed the Olympic bid, labeling it a waste of taxpayer funds. Potential coalition partner the Green Party also opposes the idea.
Debate in the capital is further complicated by history, specifically the 1936 Berlin Olympics, which were utilized by Adolf Hitler’s Nazi regime for propaganda purposes. While critics raise concerns about this legacy, proponents argue that a 2036 Games could instead highlight the values of a democratic and cosmopolitan Germany. Berlin’s commissioner, Kaweh Niroomand, emphasized to _Die Welt_ newspaper that 97% of required sports facilities already exist, noting, “The Games should fit Berlin — not Berlin the Games.”
The third contender, Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr, represents a regional bid spanning 15 municipalities in North Rhine-Westphalia, with Cologne designated as the lead city. This bid would feature widely dispersed venues, including a temporary athletics stadium in Cologne. Organizers point to strong sustainability credentials and public approval, citing an April referendum where 66% of voters supported the proposal. However, the bid must contend with challenges related to traffic congestion and inconsistent public transit reliability across Germany’s most densely populated region. A notable feature of this bid involves temporarily converting Schalke’s football stadium into a swimming venue with a capacity of 60,000.
During Saturday’s vote, 144 votes are available, distributed among Germany’s 42 Olympic sports federations, the 10-member DOSB Executive Board, and eight individual DOSB members, with each sports federation holding three votes. If no bid achieves an absolute majority in the first round, the lowest-ranked proposal will be eliminated for the second round.
According to a final report by a DOSB evaluation commission, Munich is considered the slight favorite, scoring 87.03 out of a possible 100 points. Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr followed with 85.02 points, while Berlin received 74.64 points. The International Olympic Committee is not scheduled to select the host for the 2036 Olympics until 2029.
Berlin’s historical baggage is fascinating, but Eralp’s opposition seems like a dealbreaker. Good luck to Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr though!
Munich’s strategy of reusing the 1972 venues is exactly why I support this bid. Sustainable and cost-effective.