Cabinet approves bid for Olympic Games
The Cabinet has approved the signing of a joint declaration concerning a German bid to host the 2040 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. This reflects the Federal Government’s support for submission of the bid, which will primarily be focussed on sustainability.
Summer Olympic Games and Paralympic Games 2040: the Cabinet has now cleared the way for submission of the German bid.
Photo: imago images/GEPA pictures/Walgram
Germany will submit a bid to host the Summer Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in 2040 – 50 years after German reunification. The Federal Cabinet has approved the signing of a joint declaration with the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) and participating cities and federal states. This step was necessary for the submission of Germany’s bid to host the Olympics, which the Federal Government unanimously supports.
Signing in Paris
The memorandum of understanding will be signed by Federal Minister of the Interior and Sports Nancy Faeser on 2 August on the sidelines of the Olympic Games in Paris. “Germany is a sporting nation and a great host for international sporting events – as we’ve just demonstrated with the Euros,” said Faeser.
According to the Minister, the Olympic and Paralympic Games present an excellent opportunity for Germany. “It’s a chance to demonstrate the values our liberal democracy stands for. That’s why we want to combine the Olympics in Germany with celebrating 50 years of German unity,” said Faeser.
What happens next?
The joint agreement was reached in close consultation between the Minister of Sport, the German Olympic Sports Confederation, the cities of Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Leipzig and Munich, and the federal states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria. It defines the Olympic bid submission process as a joint national task. At the same time it serves as an outline for a hosting concept: the main features of the latter will be finalised and presented to the public at the end of 2024.
All parties have agreed to involve the local population in the bid submission process. “We’re focussing on sustainability: the aim will be to use existing sports facilities in various cities – rather than spending a lot of money on building new stadiums. I feel confident that together with the German Olympic Sports Confederation and the participating cities and federal states we’ll be able to get an impressive bid off the ground,” said Federal Minister Faeser.
The bid submission process is due to be initiated by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2025. Subject to approval under budget legislation, the Federal Government will contribute a total of 6.95 million euros to the costs of the Olympic bid submission process between 2024 and 2027.
The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) is the umbrella organisation of German sport, representing the interests of some 87,000 sports clubs nationwide with a total of more than 27 million members. The DOSB’s responsibilities include preparing and entering German athletes in the Olympic Games and other major sporting events. It also represents the interests of German sport at national and international level. The DOSB initiated the two-year strategy process for a new German bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games.