Németország a 2036-os Olimpia megrendezésére pályázik – történelmi esély vagy kihívás?
The European nation has shown strong interest in hosting the Summer Games and Paralympics again, with two ambitious bids currently in the works. One proposal is from North Rhine-Westphalia, while the other focusses on Berlin, supported by several federal states.
Both cities are aim to bring the Games back to Germany after the 1972 Munich Olympics, but they face unique challenges. NRW previously proposed an innovative plan to host the 2032 Games across multiple cities. The idea, introduced by Armin Laschet and sports manager Michael Mronz, sought to allocate all Olympic sports to 13 cities, including Düsseldorf, Cologne, Dortmund, Bonn, and Aachen.
The decentralisation of the Games aligned with the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Olympic Agenda 2020, which emphasises sustainability and cost-efficiency. NRW’s bid included 16 stadiums with capacities over 30,000 and 24 large multi-purpose sports halls. The idea is one of a multi-city Olympic Games aimed to reduce costs and environmental impact.
Despite the forward-thinking proposal, the IOC awarded the 2032 Games to Brisbane, Australia, citing a streamlined selection process. However, NRW’s concept has sparked discussions about the possibility of future multi-city Olympic bids, with Germany eyeing 2036 or 2040.
Germany are hopeful og hosting the Olympics again. GETTY IMAGES
The bid has sparked controversy as the 2036 Olympics will mark the 100th anniversary of the 1936 Berlin Games, which were used for Nazi propaganda. Despite being awarded before Adolph Hitler's rise, the 1936 Olympics became infamous for promoting his regime's racist ideology. Historian Oliver Hilmes warned it could seem like a "100-year celebration" of the Nazi Games, while Jens-Christian Wagner highlighted the need to address the political misuse of sport.
Berlin’s political opposition, especially the Green Party, has also raised concerns about the city’s sports infrastructure, which they argue is in poor condition. Klara Schedlich, the party’s spokesperson for sports policy, emphasised the need for significant investment in existing facilities before hosting a major event like the Olympics.
Despite these challenges, supporters argue that hosting the Olympics would offer significant opportunities for Berlin and Germany. Local politicians, including Wegner and Berlin's senator for economic affairs, Franziska Giffey, see the Games as a chance to boost the city’s economy through tourism and international attention. Giffey pointed to the success of the recent Special Olympics in Berlin, which attracted many international guests and increased tourism.
Germany are keen to host a multi-city Olympics. RROC
The competition for the 2036 Olympics is already intense, with many countries expressing interest in hosting. The IOC is expected to face a "healthy double-digit number of interested parties," with India seen as a strong contender. Germany’s bid also faces hurdles due to the current political climate. Outgoing IOC President Thomas Bach, who hails from Germany, has noted that their entry restrictions in response to the war in Ukraine make the country ineligible to host the Games at the moment.
Bach emphasised that the IOC can only award the Games to countries that respect its accreditation rules, which could be a significant challenge for Germany in the short term. "The IOC can only award games where its rules are respected," Bach said. "This includes ensuring that every participant accredited by the IOC is allowed to enter."