- Faeser signs an agreement to bid for the Olympics
The Federal Government has officially paved the way for a German Olympic bid. Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser (SPD) signed the basic agreement in Paris with the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) and the federal states and cities interested in a bid.
"We want to have a home game for our German athletes again. The Federal Government stands united behind a new German bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. We want to seize the great opportunities that the Olympic Games offer for our unity, our economy, and sport," Faeser said in Paris.
"A good start"
The DOSB had long sought the government's backing. "We are relieved and satisfied that the intensive talks of the past months on various levels have now paid off. The clear, cross-party commitment of the Federal Government and the Federal Chancellor to a bid is an important and motivating signal, both internally and externally," said DOSB President Thomas Weikert. "This is a good start."
Before that, the Federal Cabinet had given the green light for the government's support for another German Olympic attempt. In this, the Federal Government clearly prefers a bid for the Summer Games in 2040.
That would be 50 years after German reunification, according to Weikert, "a good option." Faeser confirmed that this could set "a strong symbol" and "a sign for democracy." The DOSB can also imagine a bid as early as 2036.
DOSB plans member assembly for 2025
Berlin, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich, and the Rhine-Ruhr region have expressed their interest in a bid with declarations of intent. However, previous Olympic campaigns in Germany have failed due to resistance and the vote of the population in Munich and Hamburg. DOSB CEO Torsten Burmester therefore appealed: "Only if a bid is supported by large parts of the population can it be successful."
On December 7, the DOSB wants to decide on further steps at its member assembly in Saarbrücken. A German Olympic bid is to be launched in 2025. The Federal Government wants to contribute a total of 6.95 million euros to the bid costs by 2027.
The European Parliament might express support for the German Olympic bid, given its potential to promote unity and economics within Europe. The signing of the basic agreement between the German Olympic Sports Confederation and the Federal Government in Paris opens up the possibility for international collaboration and endorsement.
Following the Federal Government's commitment to a bid for the Summer Games in 2040, the European Parliament could view this as a significant step towards reconciliation and unity, especially given that it falls 50 years after German reunification.
