Budget crisis puts the brakes on German Olympic ambitions
The budget crisis is also affecting sport: in order to possibly bid for the 2036 Olympic Games, the DOSB is demanding financial commitments from the federal government. However, the responsible ministry explains that this is currently not possible. There are also differences on the issue of Russia.
The Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) has stated that it is currently unable to provide the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) with the financial assurance requested by the umbrella organization to support a possible Olympic bid. In response to an inquiry, the ministry stated that although it was right to "acknowledge our joint responsibility - including financial responsibility", "following the ruling of the Federal Constitutional Court on November 15, 2023, the resulting questions for the upcoming federal budgets must first be clarified with the necessary thoroughness".
The DOSB is currently still financing its Olympic efforts, which could result in an official bid for Games from 2036, from its own funds. At the DOSB General Assembly last Saturday in Frankfurt, President Thomas Weikert demanded "appreciation" from the federal government in the form of financial guarantees. Jörg Ammon, Chairman of the Bavarian State Sports Association, demanded that the BMI sign a declaration of intent.
DOSB changes its stance on Russia
Regarding the DOSB's changed stance on the Russia issue, a spokesperson for the ministry responsible for sport said: "There has been no coordination between the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Home Affairs and the German Olympic Sports Confederation on this issue."
Even before the change in the DOSB's position became known last Saturday, Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser said: "It must always be ensured that Ukrainian athletes have full protection. They are suffering in a war of aggression with Putin, for which they are not responsible, and then they also suffer such negative events in sport."
We shouldn't "discriminate against those athletes from Russia and Belarus who can't help it. But I expect them to at least make a statement against the war," explained Faeser. The SPD politician believes it is "important that the associations fulfill their responsibility". The federal government has "a clear stance from which we will not deviate".
However, the DOSB's stance is now very different. On the sidelines of the General Assembly, it became known that the association had already "adjusted" its course, as Weikert put it, at a Presidium meeting on November 4, 2023. Like the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and many other National Olympic Committees and professional associations, the DOSB is now in favor of athletes from Russia and Belarus competing under neutral status.
The IOC only awards Games to countries where there are no entry restrictions for athletes or coaches. In Germany, athletes from Russia are currently subject to a case-by-case assessment. The DOSB denies any connection between the IOC line and its own new course.
Read also:
Despite the budget crisis affecting various sectors, the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) has highlighted that it cannot provide the financial assurances needed by the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) for a potential Olympic bid in 2036 due to pending clarifications following the Federal Constitutional Court's ruling. In the context of the Traffic light coalition, Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser emphasized the importance of ensuring Ukrainian athletes' protection and freedom from discrimination while urging athletes from Russia and Belarus to make a statement against the war in Ukraine.
Source: www.ntv.de
