Munich confirms interest in hosting the Olympics
Munich will express its interest to the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) as a potential host city for the Olympics and Paralympics. "The European Championships 2022 have once again shown that Munich is a city of sport - and they have created a very special atmosphere in the city. I can imagine that this will also apply to the Olympic Games if the DOSB wants to enter the race with Munich," said Lord Mayor Dieter Reiter. However, it is also clear that the city will not bid without the approval of the people of Munich.
The state capital of Munich only wants to put itself forward for the Summer Games; plans for the Winter Olympics are not to be taken up, according to a statement on Thursday. The city is interested in becoming a so-called "main cluster", i.e. with maximum use of existing sports facilities and the provision of an Olympic village. However, a role as a "secondary cluster" (one or more sports facilities, accommodation for athletes in hotels) is "not yet completely ruled out".
Previous Olympic campaigns in Germany had failed due to resistance and the vote of the population in Munich and Hamburg. New German bids would be conceivable for the Winter Games in 2034 or 2038 and for the Summer Games in 2036 or 2040.
If Munich is selected as the location for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the city council will be consulted again in 2024 - a final decision must then be made on whether to remain in the bidding process and, if necessary, a referendum prepared. A concept for submission to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) would then only be developed as part of the international bidding process once all participating cities and the respective populations have given their approval.
"Munich is a city of sport - and with the approach we have now decided on, we are making it clear that we can imagine the Olympics in Munich in principle," said sports officer Florian Kraus. The DOSB launched the strategy process for a new German bid for the Summer or Winter Games in February.
Source: www.dpa.com
