Berlin's city mayor says a German Olympics without the capital won't work

Berlin is positioning itself as the prime candidate to host a German Summer Olympics, citing both its global significance and potential economic impact on eastern Germany, Mayor Kai Wegner stated on Friday. The city is competing with Hamburg, Munich, and the Rhine-Ruhr area to represent Germany in the bids for the 2036, 2040, or 2044 Games.

A 2036 Berlin Olympics would mark a century since the 1936 Games, organized under Nazi rule, with supporters emphasizing the symbolic progress the capital has made since that period.

Mayor Wegner highlighted additional advantages of choosing Berlin. "To bring the Games to Germany, there is no avoiding Berlin," he explained during a press briefing about the city's bid. "This would provide a substantial investment for our city and for eastern Germany, enhancing infrastructure, public transport, and housing development."

Despite reunification in 1990, the former East Germany continues to lag economically behind the West, making such investments particularly significant.

The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) plans to select the winning city and the target year for the Games by the third quarter of 2026. Los Angeles is scheduled to host in 2028, with Brisbane following in 2032.

Public opinion in Berlin shows strong opposition, with a recent Civey survey indicating that 67% of residents are against a local bid. By contrast, Munich approved hosting the Games through a referendum in late October, garnering 66.4% support. Hamburg is set to hold a vote in May, while North Rhine-Westphalia will conduct one in April for the Rhine-Ruhr region. Berlin, however, will not hold a referendum.

The last time Germany hosted the Summer Olympics was in Munich in 1972.

Author: Sophia Brooks