The German Olympic Sports Confederation will vote Saturday to choose between Munich and Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr as its candidate for a future Summer Olympics, following Berlin's withdrawal.
Key facts
- •The DOSB evaluation commission scored Munich's bid at 87.03 points and Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr at 85.02 points.
- •Berlin's bid had previously scored 74.64 points in the evaluation commission's final report.
- •The International Olympic Committee is not expected to select the 2036 host until 2029.
- •Each of the 42 Olympic sports federations participating in Saturday's vote holds three votes.
- •The Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr bid includes a plan to temporarily transform Schalke's football stadium into a swimming venue with a 60,000-seat capacity.
The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) is set to vote this Saturday on which of two remaining bids—Munich or Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr—it will support for a future Olympic Games in 2036, 2040, or 2044. Berlin, which was previously a candidate, officially withdrew its application on Thursday following political shifts in the city. A total of 144 votes will be cast by the DOSB executive board, individual members, and 42 Olympic sports federations.
By the numbers
Munich's sustainability-focused bid
Munich's bid, titled "For Games with heart and soul," emphasizes sustainability by utilizing the 1972 Olympic Park as its centerpiece. According to bid documents, approximately 90% of competition venues are within 30 kilometers of the Olympic Village, and most facilities already exist. In a city referendum last October, 66.4% of voters supported the bid.
Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr's regional approach
The Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr bid encompasses 15 municipalities across North Rhine-Westphalia, with Cologne serving as the lead city. The plan includes hosting the Olympic Village and a temporary athletics stadium in Cologne, while utilizing existing or temporary venues throughout the region. In referenda held last April, 66% of voters in the affected municipalities supported the project.
Berlin's withdrawal
Berlin withdrew its bid after the Left Party, which opposes the Olympics, won the most votes in a recent state election. Lead candidate Elif Eralp described the bid as a waste of taxpayer money. Outgoing Mayor Kai Wegner stated that he determined the bid lacked sufficient support from sports federations, leading to the decision to pull out of the process.
Timeline
- Last OctoberMunich residents voted 66.4% in favor of an Olympic bid in a city referendum.
- Last AprilReferenda in municipalities across North Rhine-Westphalia showed 66% support for the Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr bid.
- ThursdayBerlin officials announced the withdrawal of the city's Olympic bid.
- SaturdayThe DOSB is scheduled to vote on which bid to support.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Deutsche Welle Sports.
