Senate approves Berlin olympic bid
The Berlin Senate has unanimously endorsed the Olympic plans of mayor Kai Wegner.
BERLIN SENATE
The government of the German capital gave the green light on Tuesday, unanimously, to the project presented by mayor Kai Wegner and senator for sport Iris Spranger to move forward in the national race for the 2036, 2040 or 2044 Games.
The Berlin+ concept brings together the bid's key pillars, from sporting venues - 97% of which already exist - and the planned allocation of competitions to the financial framework and sustainability guidelines. The organisation estimates costs of €4.82 billion and revenues of €5.24bn, with a surplus of close to €420 million which, according to Spranger, could be allocated to Berlin schools and grassroots sport.
The agreement allows Berlin to strengthen its bid within the process under way in Germany, where it is competing with Munich, Hamburg and the Rhine-Ruhr region to represent the country before the International Olympic Committee. The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) will decide on 26 September which national project it will put forward to the IOC. Unlike the other contenders, the capital will not hold a referendum on its Olympic plans: Munich and North Rhine-Westphalia have already secured clear majorities in their ballots, while Hamburg will put its proposal to a vote at the end of May.
Wegner argued that the decision expresses a shared political will and presented the Games as an opportunity for the city and for Germany. "The Senate stands united behind the bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. This unity within the state government underlines the common political will to take this path," said the governing mayor, who framed the project as going beyond sport by linking it to investment, cohesion and international profile. "The Olympic and Paralympic Games can be a driver of investment, cohesion and international appeal. Berlin is cosmopolitan, diverse and capable," he added, before stressing that the capital wants to showcase those strengths and present the country as a modern and reliable host.
Spranger emphasised that Berlin+ has continued to be developed with the project partners and that almost all events would be held in venues that have already been built. "We are ready for the Games. We are not only looking towards wonderful Olympic and Paralympic weeks in a far-off summer. Our aim is to create lasting benefits for Berliners," said the senator. In her view, the bid is based on dialogue, ecological, social and economic sustainability, lasting effects and momentum for future generations - a leap which, she argued, only an Olympic and Paralympic Games could provide.
The most visual element of the file is the host-city concept, developed and visualised by Kulturprojekte Berlin under the direction of Moritz van Dülmen, which aims to show for the first time how the event would feel and occupy the urban space. The proposal envisages an Olympic Parcours from the Olympiastadion to Tempelhofer Feld, the setting for the opening spectacle; a golden ramp providing access to the Brandenburger Tor from the west; coloured Olympic rings placed across the city; and a golden pyramid-shaped stand for spectators at Tempelhof. "The Olympic Parcours will be the visible symbol of the connection between sport, culture and urban society," explained Van Dülmen, who said the route would turn the tournament into "an experience for everyone".
Berlin Senate approves plan for Olympic bid.
BERLIN SENATE
The idea includes a walkway over the Brandenburg Gate, where medals would be awarded against one of the world's most recognisable backdrops. Van Dülmen presented it as a symbol of the connection between past and future, of the ability to overcome walls and to bring people together: "A bridge over the Brandenburg Gate, with medals awarded against its world-famous backdrop, symbolises the connection between past and future and the ability to overcome walls and bring people together. Only Berlin can do that."
Berlin Olympic Commissioner Kaweh Niroomand argued that the file does not look towards a distant promise, but towards a realistic and viable vision built on existing strengths. "Sustainability, openness and inclusion are not buzzwords here, but the foundation of the planning," he said, also highlighting the broad participation process through which Berliners contributed their perspectives. In his view, that work makes the bid solid and credible because it grows out of the city itself, seeks broad support and proposes Games that are accessible, responsible and capable of inspiring enthusiasm.