Munich's yes to the Olympics: Berlin draws new courage for 2036!

Munich's yes to the Olympics: Berlin draws new courage for 2036!

In an exciting twist in the Olympic bidding scene, this has Munich citizens' vote received clear approval for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. With an impressive 66.4 percent of the votes, the people of Munich voted for an application for the years 2036, 2040 or 2044. This support could not only be a step into the future for the Bavarian capital, but also gives new impetus to Berlin's Olympic representative Kaweh Niroomand.

Niroomand sees the Munich decision as no disadvantage for Berlin's own candidacy. On the contrary: he highlights the capital's advantages, including a good transport network, excellent urban infrastructure and an experience with major events. Despite these positive aspects, there will be no referendum on the Olympic bid in Berlin, which is an important issue for some critics.

Different approaches in the federal states

While Munich is now working towards the next steps, cities such as Hamburg, the Rhine-Ruhr region and Kiel are planning referendums. These are scheduled for spring 2026 and could have a decisive influence on public opinions on major sporting events. Berlin, on the other hand, is pursuing a different strategy: a planned popular initiative is intended to encourage parliament to take a closer look at the Olympic bid, while a citizen participation process is intended to collect the opinions of Berliners from the beginning of next year. Niroomand sees the Olympics as an opportunity for the city and not as a way to solve existing problems.

The initiative from Munich was supported by Mayor Dieter Reiter, who emphasizes that broad social support is essential for the application. While supporters argue that the Games could promote projects such as the expansion of local transport and the construction of 4,000 apartments in the Olympic Village, opponents, represented by the “NOlympia Munich” alliance, warn of possible negative consequences such as sealing of areas and financial risks.

Introductory considerations for the future

Interest in Olympic bids in Germany remains high, and the next few months could be crucial in determining which city has the best chances at the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) plans to decide by September 2026 which city Germany will apply to the IOC, while various referendums and initiatives in other cities are still taking shape.

Overall, this development lays the foundation for an exciting time in German sport that offers both challenges and opportunities. Finally, it is to be hoped that each of the participating cities will find the balance between sporting ambition and social responsibility as they move forward.