Munich votes for the Olympics: Citizens decide on major event!

Munich votes for the Olympics: Citizens decide on major event!

The Olympic Games in 2036 or later could take an exciting turn in Germany. The news comes from Munich that around 62 percent of citizens voted in favor of applying for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. With a voter turnout of over 39 percent, which represents a remarkable increase compared to previous referendums, well over a million Munich residents cast their votes. “A good day for Munich,” said Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD). This decision can not only shape the cityscape, but also help accelerate projects in the areas of urban development and local transport.

All of Germany is watching this movement. North Rhine-Westphalia Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst (CDU) also sees the result as confirmation of the Olympic idea in the Federal Republic. A current trend shows that a good 60 percent of the NRW population also support an application for the Olympics. The State Sports Association of North Rhine-Westphalia even reports around 70 percent of supporters in the region. Hopes are high that the games could be accompanied by a positive development in the sports infrastructure.

The other applicants and challenges

However, Munich is not alone in the race. Other applicants include Hamburg, Berlin and the Rhine-Ruhr region. These four cities have all passed an initial examination by the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB). This review was based on criteria such as travel times and hotel capacities, which are crucial for hosting the games. The Rhine-Ruhr region in particular emphasizes their advantages, including the density of sports facilities and the experience in organizing large events.

• Wettbewerbe in Kiel und Markkleeberg sollen außerhalb von NRW stattfinden.
• Nicht zuletzt steht NRW in der Kritik, zu wenig für die Bewerbung auszugeben – die Landesregierung hat ein bescheidenes Mindestbudget von 50.000 Euro bereitgestellt.
• Im Gegensatz dazu haben München und Berlin mit jeweils etwa 6 Millionen Euro deutlich höhere Budgets geplant.

Of course, the issue of sustainability cannot be dismissed out of hand. A positive sign is that 95 percent of the required competition locations are already available. This could be a decisive plus point in the evaluation by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Referendums and the schedule

A look into the future reveals that the referendums in North Rhine-Westphalia are already scheduled for April 2026. The decision on the choice of a “Leading City” is imminent. The DOSB has announced that it will select the German candidate for the IOC by autumn 2026. A citizens' referendum is planned for May 2026 in Hamburg, and the Rhine-Ruhr region is also considering citizen participation.

However, there are also critical voices who warn about the risks of an Olympic bid. Opponents of the project, such as the “NOlympia Munich” alliance, highlight concerns about surface sealing, destruction of nature and the possible financial risks that the general public could bear. Critical voices also highlight the “gag contracts” that the IOC imposes on the venue, which could lead to an unequal distribution of profits.

The discussion remains exciting and the next few months promise to bring many decisions and public debates. What is certain is that interest and support for an Olympic bid in Germany is currently high and the ideas surrounding the Games are already a topic of conversation among the population.