Suche
Berlin fights for Olympia: State Sports Association starts popular initiative!
Berlin is planning a popular initiative for the Olympic application 2040. The State Sports Association hopes for broad support and wants to collect 20,000 signatures.
Berlin fights for Olympia: State Sports Association starts popular initiative!
On June 5, 2025, the State Sports Association Berlin (LSB) announced a popular initiative for the application of Berlin to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games. LSB President Thomas Härtel informed about this plan during the summer reception in the Manfred-von-Richthofen-Haus. According to the applicable constitutional provisions, however, the Senate cannot carry out a referendum, which the initiative will depend on the support of the population and institutions in the coming months.
In order to employ the House of Representatives with the project, the LSB must collect 20,000 signatures within six months. Härtel explained optimistically that this should not be difficult in view of the 809,000 members of the LSB. Support also expects interior and sports senator Iris Spranger, who perceives a noticeable vigor for the Olympic application and hopes for the help of sports clubs, associations and the economy.
joint application and competitor
Berlin plans to apply under the label "Berlin+" together with several partner countries. Other competitors from Germany are Munich, Hamburg and the Rhein-Ruhr region. Thomas Weikert, President of the German Olympic Sports Association (DOSB), was positive about the rough concept of the Berlin application. A final decision about the German applicant will be made by autumn 2026 and must be approved by the DOSB members.
, however, remains unclear which year Berlin will ultimately apply - possible options are 2036, 2040 or 2044.
public support and previous applications
A Forsa survey shows that over 80 % of the population in Hamburg and Berlin supports the allocation of games to Germany. Overall of three quarters of the German population, Olympic advertising supports overall. In the past, however, it had to be determined that former Olympic campaigns in cities such as Munich and Hamburg failed due to resistance among the population.
The DOSB sees Olympic acquisition as a possibility of using the value of sports for integration, inclusion, education as well as social cohesion and economic impulses. Hamburg had been nominated in the past as a applicant city for the games 2024 and 2028, whereby it had prevailed against Berlin. Access to a compact and fascinating Olympic concept that could promote the development of a North German metropolitan region is considered advantageous.
federal government and future steps
The Federal Government has guaranteed its support for German application. A cabinet resolution provides for a joint explanation with the DOSB and interested cities and countries, whereby an application for the 2040 summer games is favored. Federal and sports minister Nancy Faeser underlined the opportunities of the Olympic Games for an increased enthusiasm for sports and economic impulses.
The basis for this project is to be signed on August 2, 2024 during the summer games in Paris. On December 7, 2024, the DOSB will decide further steps at its general meeting in Saarbrücken. An extraordinary general meeting of the DOSB is also planned for the first half of 2025, which is intended to advance basic decisions to apply.