Germany's Olympic plans spark heated debate

The multiplicity of views regarding the role the country should play in the world's largest sporting event is beginning to stir competition among the cities. Some are betting on modest projects with pre-existing infrastructure and participatory processes, while others are opting for new constructions, strong political backing, and significant international visibility.

The German Olympic Sports Confederation, which will decide in 2026 which bid to present to the International Olympic Committee, faces a task as complex as it is sensitive: to choose not only the most technically viable project, but also the one that best embodies a renewed vision of the Games for a country still grappling with the weight of its history. Meanwhile, the debate is permeating the political, economic, and social fabric.

Berlin has been one of the first cities to make a move. It has done so with political ambition, with support from the Senate and with a narrative that seeks to reconcile the past with the future. The German capital wants to host the centennial Olympic Games, exactly 100 years after those held in 1936 during the Nazi regime. And it aims to do so, according to its proponents, as a counterpoint that transforms historical memory into an opportunity for dialogue, openness, and democratic renewal.

Kaweh Niroomand, head of BR Volleys and former vice-president of the DOSB, has been one of the most enthusiastic voices in favour of Berlin's bid. In an interview with the newspaper Lausitzer Rundschau, he stated that "In a country with democratic structures, where dictators do not misuse the Games to glorify themselves, major sporting events like the Olympics always have a sustainably positive effect on the region." Niroomand emphasised that "for Berlin they would bring, among other things, a huge gain for infrastructure," highlighting that the Games could entail a far-reaching urban transformation.

He also pointed out that "just the several thousand flats that would need to be built as accommodation for athletes will afterwards be made available to the city’s society," implying a tangible legacy in the form of accessible housing. He also denounced the current precarious state of sports facilities, saying that "we have around 50 dilapidated sports halls in Berlin alone," and argued that thanks to the Games "important projects would definitely be advanced that otherwise would not be implemented."

The 'Berlin+' concept envisages that "certain competitions should take place in Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Saxony, and Schleswig-Holstein," reinforcing the federal dimension of the project and promoting interregional cooperation. Niroomand also underlined the need to build "an additional multifunctional arena," adding that "this new arena should offer new opportunities not only for sport but also for the culture and congress sectors."

Regarding the spirit of the Games, Niroomand affirmed that "It's about much more than the material. If we all commit together to a major event […] it generates a sense of community." This emotional and symbolic dimension of the Games is key to mobilising citizens and generating a shared sense of belonging.

A survey conducted by Infratest Dimap for rbb24 published last week revealed that 46% of Berliners support the bid, while 43% oppose it and 10% have no clear opinion. According to the study, "support in the west of Berlin [is] higher […] than in the east," and "support is particularly strong among people aged 16 to 34."

Hamburg, for its part, is returning to the Olympic stage with a proposal that seeks to combine innovation, citizen participation, and sustainability. Following the rejection in the 2015 referendum, the city has chosen a more consultative and structured approach. The Senate has announced that in May 2026 a new referendum will be held so that citizens can decide whether the city should officially submit a bid.

Photo: H_H_Active_City

"With our proposal, we are laying the groundwork for a bid and participation process that brings the people of Hamburg along and highlights the opportunities and potential of the Olympic and Paralympic Games," declared Sina Imhof, President of the Green Party's parliamentary group, stressing the importance of building a bid that not only meets technical requirements but also connects emotionally with the public.

The proposal has an initial budget of €2.2 million, of which "€1.25m for ongoing administrative activities and €950,000 for personnel costs" will be allocated to prepare the participation process and develop the concept. This investment aims to avoid past mistakes and ensure that citizens are informed and engaged from the outset.

Juliane Timmermann, SPD sports spokesperson, reinforced this idea by stating that "We are doing everything we can to prepare Hamburg as best as possible for a national bidding process." She added that citizens "rightly expect a meaningful and coherent overall concept," making it clear that transparency and rigorous planning will be key to regaining the trust lost in 2015.

In parallel, the cultural promoter Neuland Concerts last week presented at the Astor Film Lounge in HafenCity a project idea for an opening ceremony under the motto "With our vision 'City meets Stadium' we bring the Games into the heart of our Hanseatic city." During the event, an animation was shown featuring five floating platforms on the Binnenalster representing the Olympic rings, and a symbolic agora inspired by ancient Greece.

"We are proud to support the city of Hamburg in its bid for the 2040 Olympic Games," the company stated via LinkedIn. It had already produced the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2023 Invictus Games in Düsseldorf. The proposal seeks to turn the urban centre into a living stage where sport, culture, and citizenship intertwine in a unique experience.

Munich, for its part, has once again positioned itself as a candidate, this time with a collaborative approach that includes other Bavarian cities. The proposal is part of the 'One-Village-Konzepts München+', which integrates sports facilities from cities such as Augsburg. According to Nachrichten AG, "the Eiskanal has been established as a historic venue for canoe slalom since 1972, and the WWK Arena offers space for over 30,000 spectators."

Photo: muenchen

The project also includes the Erhard-Wunderlich-Sporthalle for boxing and indoor sports, as well as the German Alpine Association’s state performance centre for climbing. Mayor Eva Weber highlighted the importance of this bid, especially in terms of visibility, tourism, and cultural diversity. Notably, more than €20m have already been invested in modernising the Eiskanal canoeing course, demonstrating the city’s commitment to high-level sport and its readiness to be part of a national Olympic project.

The future of this Olympic option will depend on the outcome of the referendum scheduled in Munich for 26 October 2025. A majority of citizens must vote in favour of hosting the Games for the project to move forward. Despite a positive climate, the City Council stresses that the city's past must also be considered, with previous failed bids for the Winter Games in 2011 and 2013.

The Rhine-Ruhr region, one of the most densely populated and economically active in Europe, has presented an ambitious proposal that seeks to integrate the Olympic and Paralympic Games into a single concept. This vision, which relies on existing sports infrastructure and a strong organisational tradition, has been enthusiastically defended by the Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hendrik Wüst.

As reported by television channel Ntv, during the inauguration of the new campus of the International Paralympic Committee a few days ago in Bonn, Wüst declared that "A concept that brings together the Olympic and Paralympic ideals: 21 of the 22 Paralympic disciplines will be held in existing Olympic competition venues along the Rhine and Ruhr," thereby highlighting the total integration of both competitions under a single organisational framework.

Among the proposed venues are the para swimming competitions at the Schalke football stadium in Gelsenkirchen, with space for up to 60,000 spectators, and a triathlon finish in front of Cologne Cathedral, demonstrating the intention to turn iconic locations into top-tier sports venues capable of attracting both fans and international media.

Photo: LSB_NRW

However, not everything has been met with enthusiasm. The bid has faced criticism for a lack of financial and political momentum. As noted by Tagesschau, an internal document from the Free Democratic Party of Germany warns that "If Markus Söder, Minister-President of Bavaria and chairman of the CSU, plays for Bavaria with full physical commitment, Hendrik Wüst, Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia, must not allow North Rhine-Westphalia to be outplayed." This is a metaphor laden with sporting symbolism that reflects the concern that North Rhine-Westphalia might lose ground to more aggressive bids like Munich's.

The same document states that "so far only €50,000 have flowed into the first phase of the national application," and that another "€500,000 in state funds will only be available […] if Rhine-Ruhr actually prevails against Hamburg, Munich or Berlin." This conditional funding has caused dissatisfaction within the bid's environment, where greater backing was expected from the outset.

The Social Democratic Party of Germany has also called for greater commitment. Tülay Durdu, sports spokesperson for the parliamentary group, warned that "We now need a clear commitment, broad social participation, and above all more engagement from the state government. Otherwise, we will squander this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." Her words summarise the sentiments of many involved actors, who see the Games as a unique chance to transform the region and project a modern and inclusive image of Germany.

As the cities refine their proposals, the DOSB continues to develop its dialogue process with a view to September 2026, when it will decide which bid will represent Germany before the IOC. In that decision, not only technical or budgetary factors will weigh in, but also the level of public support, the narrative behind each project, and the image the country wants to project at a global event.

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