Berlin Citizen Initiative Secures Support for Olympic Bid

The campaign to promote Berlin as a host city for future Olympic and Paralympic Games has achieved a significant milestone. The Berlin State Sports Association (Landessportbund Berlin, LSB) has successfully gathered over 20,000 signatures in support of initiating an official bid. This threshold was necessary for the proposal to be formally presented to the Berlin House of Representatives, marking a major step forward in the city's Olympic ambitions.

The initiative aims not only to secure Berlin's candidacy for hosting the Olympic Games, but also to enhance the city's sports landscape. Among its primary objectives are improving physical activity opportunities for residents and emphasizing the importance of sport in public life. Key demands include strengthening sports programs in schools, increasing investment in sports infrastructure, and prioritizing the renovation of existing sports facilities throughout the capital.

Additional signature collection efforts are underway at major local events, such as football matches involving Hertha BSC and the traditional Christmas choir event at 1. FC Union Berlin. Organizers hope to further expand public support before the official submission of the petition to lawmakers after the holiday season.

The movement comes as the German Olympic Sports Confederation (Deutscher Olympischer Sportbund, DOSB) considers which German city will be selected as the country's candidate for future Olympic Games. The final decision, expected by autumn 2026, will also require approval from DOSB members. It remains undecided whether Germany will target the 2036, 2040, or 2044 editions of the Olympics.

Meanwhile, opposition to the Olympic bid is also taking shape. A separate initiative, 'NOlympia Berlin', is preparing a counter-petition aimed at preventing the Games from being held in the city. Should this movement gain sufficient public backing, a binding referendum could be held, though this would likely occur after the DOSB selects the official German candidate city.

As the debate continues, both proponents and opponents are mobilizing support across Berlin. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether Berlin moves closer to hosting one of the world's largest sporting events, or if public sentiment will ultimately steer the city in a different direction.