The Mini Olympics in Munich, 50 years after the emotional summer of 1972, inevitably feeds the debate about a new German games application.
When the track and field athletes compete at the European Championships under the iconic tent roof of the Olympic Stadium, cyclists chase European titles in the Olympic Park and canoeists and rowers plow through the water of the Olympic regatta course, DOSB boss Thomas Weikert senses new opportunities. "The example of Munich can also help to increase acceptance and approval for the Olympics in our country," said the President of the German Olympic Sports Confederation of the German Press Agency.
177 gold medals in nine sports will be awarded at the Multi-EM in Bavaria's state capital from Thursday. More than 4,700 athletes will be there, and television will broadcast many hours of the eleven days of competition live. If the spark jumps over, this could also give new impetus to the recently shaken Olympic supporters in Germany.
Ecologically and economically sustainable concept
"With an ecologically and economically sustainable concept, we can convince and inspire people. We have already proven several times that Germany can successfully organize major sporting events," said sports manager Michael Mronz, initiator of the private Rhine-Ruhr campaign, to the dpa. The 55-year-old continues to believe in the Olympics and Paralympics in Germany, even though German attempts have recently failed in series.
Mronz sees the crop damage in sport caused by the Corona crisis as an important incentive for increased efforts for the Olympics. "Investments in sport are must investments and not optional investments. A major sporting event such as the Olympic and Paralympic Games would give a great boost to the entire sport," said Mronz. Sport outside of football must be brought more into focus again, he warned.
Olympic champion Malaika Mihambo sees it similarly. "The sports nation Germany revolves around one sport. That's a shame, of course, because sport is more than just football," said the long jumper of the dpa. Therefore, the European Championships are a win. "Children can experience it in a completely different way and then maybe gain a foothold in these sports themselves," said Mihambo. This could also become a signal for a new Olympic application.
Another candidature should not become an end in itself, emphasized Mihambo. "Society and especially the host city must really want to do it," said the 28-year-old. As a goal, Mihambo named to anchor the Olympic idea more firmly.
Arouse desire and enthusiasm for the Olympics
It is precisely this desire and enthusiasm for the Olympics that many Germans have lacked in recent years. Efforts to organize the 2022 Winter Games with Munich and the 2024 Summer Games with Hamburg failed in public opinion polls. Concerns about billions in costs and environmental consequences as well as the bad image of large sports associations such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) deter many when thinking about the Olympics in Germany.
The current general weather situation with the Ukraine war, energy crisis and corona waves certainly does not act as an encouragement for ambitious mega projects such as the Olympic Games. According to DOSB boss Weikert, however, "large flagship projects such as the Olympic Games can also provide answers to crises such as the pandemic".
With major events such as the Multi-EM in Munich, the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin 2023, the European Football Championship 2024 and the Summer Universiade 2025 on the Rhine and Ruhr, the top German sporting elite also want to collect points on the international stage. In the "National Strategy for Major Sports Events", the Federal Government also backed further applications for top sporting events - the Olympics not being ruled out.
Patience and perseverance required
However, patience and perseverance are required. At the urging of the AfD, the responsible committees of the Bundestag are dealing with a Munich application for the 2030 Winter Games. However, the time for this is likely to be too short, as early as next year the IOC wants to name the host for the winter spectacle after next. After that, start-ups for winter 2034 or summer 2036 would be conceivable.
The fact that, of all things, 100 years after the Nazi Games of 1936, the Olympic Games could take place again in Germany and possibly even in Berlin, makes quite a few people uneasy. Basically, however, according to the coalition agreement, the red-green-red state government is open to a Berlin Olympic bid. Condition: A sustainable concept without gigantism and generous co-financing by the federal government.
In the Rhine and Ruhr areas, too, the Olympic plans have by no means disappeared into the wastepaper basket. Maker Mronz is sure of the support of the state and municipalities. "I'm sure that if Germany stands united behind an application, we have good chances, also internationally," said Mronz.
Munich, for its part, could fall in love with the Olympic idea again in the coming days of the European Championship. "Of course, a current major sporting event once again makes it very clear how alive the legacy of 1972 is today," said DOSB President Weikert.
The head of the association does not want to rush anything either. First of all, the DOSB wants to "establish a process to create the broadest possible opinion on what an Olympic application would bring to Germany and to all of us". The advertising images for this could be produced from Thursday in Munich.
