Björn Lengwenus, the esteemed principal of the Grund- und Stadtteilschule am Alten Teichweg, an elite sports school in Hamburg, is making waves with his passionate advocacy for the city’s Olympic and Paralympic bid. Known for his innovative educational approaches and his “Dulsberg Late Night” online show during the pandemic, Lengwenus believes Hamburg is uniquely positioned to host a truly inclusive and celebratory Games.
A Vision of Unity and Celebration
Lengwenus, a 53-year-old father of two and a dedicated fan of both HSV and FC St. Pauli, is convinced that Hamburg needs to embrace the opportunity to host a global celebration. “We need to celebrate properly again, let’s just be brave again,” he stated at the kick-off event on the Elbphilharmonie Plaza, just eight weeks before referendum ballots are mailed out on May 31st.
His personal enthusiasm for the Olympics stems from the idea of people from all over the world coming together in a peaceful atmosphere. “I believe that in these terrible times of pessimism, with all these dreadful news, where we can no longer answer the question ‘How are you?’ with ‘I’m fine,’ we need moments where we come together and celebrate. And preferably, invite the whole world to us.”
Olympics for All: Beyond the Elite
Lengwenus envisions an Olympic Games that transcends the traditional focus on the wealthy and corporate interests. He argues for an event that truly involves all of Hamburg’s districts, including Veddel, Kirchdorf-Süd, Dulsberg, and Mümmelmannsberg. “I have the idea that we designate five Olympic districts that receive special equipment and develop through it. And why does the marathon have to be run on the classic route, why not through Alte Teichweg and Horner Landstraße?” he muses, highlighting his desire for a more community-centric approach.
Hamburg’s Unique Advantage Over Munich
Lengwenus firmly believes that if the Olympics are to be held in Germany in the coming decades, Hamburg is the ideal host. He suggests that Hamburg, with its liberal, cosmopolitan, and free spirit, could organize a different kind of Games, projecting an alternative image of Germany to the world compared to Munich. He points out that Hamburg took a long time to catch up after Munich hosted the Games in 1972, a scenario he wishes to avoid repeating.
His school, with its 1800 students from 86 nations, including 400 competitive athletes, serves as a microcosm of this inclusive vision. “Everyone has learned to appreciate each other because we set an example for them. Sporting successes are cool, but in the next class sits the Syrian youth who lost his entire family on the way to Hamburg. You have to know that, it puts the world in perspective, as it unfortunately is. The Olympics could be a catalyst for this awareness. Becoming a world champion is one thing, mastering the world is the much greater challenge.”
Addressing Criticisms and Climate Concerns
While acknowledging valid criticisms, Lengwenus counters that the Olympics can coexist with climate protection efforts. He argues that the Games will happen somewhere in the world in 2036, 2040, or 2044, and it’s preferable for them to come to Hamburg, a city aiming for climate neutrality by 2040. He also believes that strengthening disadvantaged districts through the Olympics and building more housing can combat rising rental costs.
However, he also expresses concerns about the potential for speculation and displacement. “I also don’t want Hamburg to become an object of speculation after the Olympics, that people have to leave the city or their district because their rents have become unaffordable. A political statement on this problem would be helpful.” Yet, he refuses to live in a society that fears celebration and focuses solely on risks. “Do we want to just complain for the next 20 years or do we have the courage to face the challenges for the future of the next generations?”
The Human Need to Celebrate and the Evolving IOC
Lengwenus emphasizes that celebrating is a fundamental human need. His travels around the world have shown him that people find happiness when they have enough to eat, a place to sleep, and can celebrate with their families. “Celebrating, I have experienced everywhere, is most beautiful when guests are there.” He believes this principle applies to the Olympics, provided people are given the opportunity and financial support to organize the Games for themselves and their communities.
He acknowledges the problematic history of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) but notes its transformation. While mistrust remains, the IOC has become more flexible, offering host cities significant leeway and nearly two billion euros in funding. “The city no longer has to adapt to the Olympics, but the Olympics to the city. That is also a credit to the Olympic opponents.”
Learning from Past Mistakes and Engaging the Youth
Lengwenus is critical of Hamburg’s 2015 Olympic campaign, describing it as too intellectual, emotionless, and overly focused on urban development, with athletes rarely featured. He stresses the need for a more engaging approach, especially for younger generations, through platforms like TikTok and Instagram. He suggests cultural events in districts and sports festivals in schools to make the Olympic spirit tangible.
He also addresses the skepticism of older generations, urging them to consider the future. “It really annoys me when people say: What’s the point, the city is beautiful enough, I don’t want any changes, I won’t experience the Olympics anyway. What kind of selfish idea of society is that? I consider it irresponsible.” He highlights that surveys show a majority of young people want the Olympics in Hamburg, suggesting that older generations should support this vision for the future.
He recounts a story about a former student who, despite not seeing a project completed during her time at school, understood the importance of contributing to something good for everyone. “I will never forget that, and I often quote this clever sentence, because I always feel that politics and many people today rarely act like that anymore.”
A Call for Inclusive Engagement
Lengwenus praises the spectacular drone show over the harbor that kicked off the current campaign, but emphasizes the need for genuine dialogue. “We will experience posters, spots and campaigns in the coming months, but in the end we have to talk to people to really live the motto ‘Olympia in Hamburg. A chance for all’. ‘All’ means all.”
He advocates for reaching out to all districts and engaging people with immigrant backgrounds. “How about a Turkish, Croatian or Greek top athlete campaigning for Hamburg? That would be excellently received in the respective community and would suit our city.” He firmly believes that the fight for the Olympics in Hamburg is worthwhile.
Source: https://www.abendblatt.de/sport/article411307228/hamburg-olympia-paralympics-bewerbung-schulleiter-bjoern-lengwenus-party.html
