Németország olimpiai ambíciói erősödnek – növekvő társadalmi támogatás a pályázat mögött
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Support for the country’s potential bid to host the Olympic Games is gaining momentum, with recent local referendums and surveys indicating rising public backing across several cities, more than 50 years after the nation last hosted the event.
The results suggest strong public interest in bringing the Olympics back to Germany after more than 50 years. At the same time, they come despite previous failed bids and ongoing public debate about other priorities.
In Cologne, where Olympic-related discussions have drawn significant attention, a supportive referendum outcome could have wider implications for the city’s position within any national bid. However, local infrastructure challenges remain a key issue, including incomplete transport links and delayed major projects such as the opera house redevelopment.
Across surveyed regions, respondents most frequently cite anticipated benefits such as improved international visibility, tourism growth, and an enhanced global image. Infrastructure development, transport upgrades, and broader urban renewal are also commonly mentioned as potential long-term gains.
For Cologne and North Rhine-Westphalia, the referendum marks only the first step in the selection process. The level of support across all 17 participating municipalities will be a key factor in the German decision-making process, where the bid will compete with other applicants including Hamburg, Berlin, and Munich.
In Munich, 66.4 percent of voters supported the Olympic bid, setting a reference point for other candidates. After the national selection, any German bid would still need to succeed in the international evaluation process of the International Olympic Committee. That stage is expected to be highly competitive, with multiple countries already expressing interest in hosting the Games of 2036, 2040, and 2044.
For 2036, potential bidders include Doha, Istanbul, Ahmedabad, Egypt with its planned new capital near Cairo, Santiago, Budapest, a possible Italian bid involving Florence and Turin, Chinese cities such as Chengdu and Chongqing, and South Korea's selected region Jeollabuk-do.
For 2040, several potential bids are also being discussed. Budapest could enter the race again, while London is considering a joint bid with Birmingham and Manchester. Madrid may make another attempt after previous unsuccessful bids. Egypt could rejoin the race if 2036 is not secured. In Africa, South Africa is considering a multi-city bid involving Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg, while Warsaw is preparing its first Olympic bid.
Former IOC President Thomas Bach has expressed support for greater global inclusion in future bidding processes, saying, "I very much hope that by 2040 an African country will be in negotiations with the International Olympic Committee to host the Olympic Games."
The broader discussion around Germany's bid reflects growing attention to the potential impact of hosting the Games. Supporters argue that interest in the Olympic idea can help build public engagement and strengthen confidence in the bidding process ahead of key national and international decisions.