Berlin Launches Olympic Bid with Four Partner States

In a significant move towards hosting the Olympic Games, Berlin has announced its intention to bid for the Summer Olympics and Paralympics, collaborating with four regional partners: Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Sachsen, and Schleswig-Holstein. This initiative marks the first bid from Germany since 1972, aiming to present a united front for the prestigious international sporting event.

The official unveiling of the bid, titled "Berlin+," is set to take place on Tuesday at the historic Berlin Olympic Stadium. The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) will evaluate the bid to determine if Berlin qualifies as the national candidate for the games. Berlin is expected to serve as the primary venue, while various events will be hosted in the partner states.

While the specific year for the proposed event remains undecided, possibilities include 2036, 2040, or 2044, depending on the decisions made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Michael Mronz, a member of both the IOC and DOSB, emphasized the importance of readiness for Germany in the context of Europe's aspirations for future Olympic events.

The announcement will be made by key political figures, including Berlin's Mayor Kai Wegner, Brandenburg's Dietmar Woidke, and other state leaders, along with Berlin's Sports Senator Iris Spranger. The presence of Sachsen's Interior Minister Armin Schuster, who oversees sports, will also highlight the collaborative effort.

Prior to this announcement, Leipzig's Mayor Burkhard Jung had hinted at the impending bid in a local publication. Meanwhile, Nordrhein-Westfalen plans to reveal its own Olympic aspirations shortly after Berlin's announcement, with cities like Hamburg and Munich expressing interest in pursuing their own bids.

The process for the Olympic bid involves a three-stage model set by the DOSB, requiring candidates to submit refined proposals by the end of May. These proposals will undergo a thorough assessment by September 2025 to ensure they meet the necessary criteria. Successful candidates will be presented at the DOSB general assembly later this year, though no decisions will be made at that time.

The final decision regarding the German bid will occur by the autumn of 2026, pending approval from DOSB members. The last time Germany hosted the Olympics was in 1972 in Munich, a historical event marked by both sporting excellence and tragic circumstances.

Mayor Wegner has articulated the significance of bidding for the 2036 Games, coinciding with the centenary of the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, which were marred by political controversy. He envisions this as an opportunity to showcase the transformation of Germany from a dictatorship to a democratic state. However, some critics caution against the historical implications of such a bid.

Germany's track record in previous Olympic bids presents a mixed narrative. Past attempts, such as Berlin's bid for the 2000 Games, Leipzig's candidacy for 2012, and Hamburg's bid for 2024, ended in disappointment due to various factors, including inadequate political support and public opposition. Recently, the IOC has favored other cities, such as Brisbane for the 2032 Games, while Germany continues to strategize its future prospects.

Despite the ambitious plans, there has been notable opposition within the Berlin parliament. Critics argue that the city should prioritize resolving pressing issues, such as the closure of numerous sports facilities due to structural concerns, rather than investing resources in an Olympic bid.