Diepgen expects campaign against Olympic Games in Berlin
Berlin's former mayor Eberhard Diepgen expects criticism from the population against the Olympic Games in the capital. After the experience of referendums on Olympic bids, such major events would be perceived as a nuisance and an excessive demand on local residents, he argued in the "B.Z." (Saturday). "I fear that this is also the case in Berlin." The Berlin Senate wants to participate in a German bid for the Olympic Games together with other cities.
Criticism of the Senate's decision last Tuesday did not surprise him: "As in the early 1990s, we can expect another "NOLympia" campaign," said the former governing mayor (1984 - 1989 and 1991 - 2001).
Diepgen recommended that the critics of the Olympics should think a little more before launching into anti-campaigns again. "You can consider the thesis that the Olympics are a huge opportunity for the city to be exaggerated. I think it is right that the Senate does not consider the reference to the 1936 Games to be a reason for exclusion."
From Diepgen's point of view, Berlin could definitely benefit from the Olympic Games: "Berlin doesn't need any new buildings for the 2036 or 2040 Olympics. Incidentally, the sports halls in the former eastern part of the city were built with the bid for the year 2000. After 25 years, they are now due for modernization," said the former Berlin CDU head of government.
"The big advantage for Berlin is that the Olympics are not primarily financed from the state budget. The German bid is also to be financed from the federal budget. Without the Olympics, the state budget alone will have to cover everything."
The Berlin Senate, in its bid to host the Olympic Games, is facing potential opposition from locals, as Diepgen anticipates a resurgence of the "NOLympia" campaign, a movement known for criticizing such events. Diepgen, who served as Berlin's mayor during earlier Olympic bids, emphasized that considering the Olympics as a significant opportunity for the city's development is a valid perspective.
Source: www.dpa.com
