Munich, May 15 – Munich is actively pursuing a bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2036, 2040, or 2044, presenting a comprehensive concept that highlights short travel distances, ecological sustainability, and the city’s rich history of hosting major events. The detailed proposal, revealed yesterday, emphasizes a unique blend of Bavarian hospitality and innovative, eco-friendly initiatives.
A Vision for ‘Olympic Wiesn’ and Green Games
The core of Munich’s bid revolves around an ‘Olympic Wiesn’ – an extended version of the famous Oktoberfest – designed to showcase Bavarian culture and hospitality to a global audience. Beyond this cultural element, the bid strongly focuses on sustainability, aiming to host the first ‘circular games.’ This concept encompasses green infrastructure, climate-neutral materials, and zero-waste initiatives, positioning the event as a model for future environmentally conscious sporting spectacles.
Oberbürgermeister Dominik Krause (Greens) underscored Munich’s unique qualifications, citing its preserved Olympic heritage, extensive experience with large-scale events, strategic location, and international appeal. He also highlighted the unified support from the city, the Free State of Bavaria, and other key stakeholders.
Compact Venues and Minimized Travel
A significant advantage of Munich’s bid is its compact venue plan. Florian Kraus, head of the Department for Education and Sports, stated that 90 percent of all competition venues would be reachable within 30 minutes from the Olympic Village or located within a 30-kilometer radius. This strategy aims to minimize travel times and enhance the athlete and spectator experience.
Football matches are envisioned to take place in locations such as Fröttmaning (home to FC Bayern’s Allianz Arena), Nuremberg, Augsburg, Stuttgart, the Grünwalder Stadion, the Olympiastadion, and Ingolstadt, reducing the need for extensive travel across southern Germany. The exhibition center is planned to host eight sports, including volleyball, alongside media facilities. Baseball and softball could be held in the Olympic Park, while squash is slated for the area around the old Paketposthalle.
The refined concept includes only three temporarily needed halls for handball, volleyball, and track cycling. Discussions are ongoing regarding the potential permanent retention of the Velodrome in Nuremberg due to its federal training center status. Cricket could also be relocated to Nuremberg. Lacrosse and flag football events would be hosted at Dantestadion or another smaller stadium with temporary expansions.
Economic Backing and Development Projects
The bid is not merely about sports; it is also strategically used to accelerate and implement central development projects within the city. Scientific studies indicate that hosting the Games would generate significant added value for Munich. The estimated costs for the Games are approximately five billion euros, which are expected to be fully refinanced, partly through the sale of 12.5 million tickets.
The Bavarian economy has expressed strong support for the Olympic project. A memorandum submitted by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the Chambers of Crafts, and the Bavarian Business Association emphasized that the bid represents more than just sporting competitions. It signifies a commitment to excellence, a collective drive to achieve a common goal, and a sustainable contribution to economic, social, and international development.
Next Steps for the Bid
The detailed bid concept is scheduled to be presented to the city council next Wednesday for approval. The final application documents must be submitted to the German Olympic Sports Confederation by early June. The Confederation is expected to decide in September which German city will enter the international race for the 2036, 2040, or 2044 Games. Besides Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, and the Rhine-Ruhr region are also vying for the opportunity.
Source: traunsteiner-tagblatt.de
