Germany 2036

[StefanMUC]

Interesting today: Der Spiegel reports that the German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (who has been in Milan and Cortina these past two weeks sporadically) while supporting a German bid in general thinks that 2036 would not be good for historical reasons.

Obviously, he only has a mostly ceremonial role without executive influence and his last term ends in a year, but this will surely be noted in the circles that care.

 

[yoshi]

Interesting - obviously I know he has no hard power but is he well regarded like the Italian one as a sort of "national grandad" type figure who would carry some weight? Personally I don't think he's right, I don't think a 2036 games would be a celebration of the centenary, or come across as one - if anything it'd be an opposite, much like how 72 was designed - but the decision is for Germans themselves to make. I fully understand if they feel the symbolism would be just too much. I just feel like they could be letting a golden chance slip away 

(As usual the fault lies with the IOC. Mainly for stitching up 32 & killing the NRW proposal right when it was getting going, and also for their rush on 38. No objections to Switzerland having 38 in some form, but I think the IOC have been a bit rash. The fact Milano Cortina has worked combined with Tom going could've brought a lot of bids back in. With the landslide referendum result combined with the success of the Italians right now, it's not hard to see how Munich 38 could've got off the ground. Much as I want to see a German Summer Olympics, the fact they haven't hosted the Winter games for over a century is actually even stranger...)

[StefanMUC]

He isn‘t anywhere as highly regarded as Mattarella, even after nine years in office there‘s not anything remarkable about him.

He also carries a burden for having been far too appeasing to Russia during his time as Foreign Minister (especially his second term, when the Crimea occupation started).

Still, the centenary 2036 is very obviously a part of the discussion here. If the IOC wants to please India first and then gives us 2040, fine anyway. I‘ll be retired and do a lot of attending or even volunteering.

[yoshi]

I wouldn't be sure about India just yet. I don't know if Kirsty is quite as close to the Ambani (& Modi, by extension) family as Tom was, & I'm not sure the IOC really want to have to deal with the same political shenanigans as cricket does every time India hosts a tournament. The difference is, India kinda owns the ICC in cricket so they don't get a choice. The IOC do get a choice. If I was specifically wanting 36, I'd be more concerned about Qatar, and Russia. 

[iceman530]

Qatar and Saudi Arabia are valid concerns.

Russia though?  There's no way Russia gets back in good graces again so quickly.......right?  ..........riiiiighttt???  I know it is absolutely not joking unfortunately, but looking at the Russian potential purely from an economic standpoint..........how the hell do they have the funds to pull that off after betting it all on black in Ukraine?  Their warchest is effectively depleted and theyre hacking at bone now (bankruptcies in metal companies, oil companies, railroad, and even defense companies)

If Germany is squeemish..........I personally hope Istanbul finally locks it in, even though they arent exactly clean either.

[StefanMUC]

2 hours ago, iceman530 said:

Qatar and Saudi Arabia are valid concerns.

Russia though?  There's no way Russia gets back in good graces again so quickly.......right?  ..........riiiiighttt???  I know it is absolutely not joking unfortunately, but looking at the Russian potential purely from an economic standpoint..........how the hell do they have the funds to pull that off after betting it all on black in Ukraine?  Their warchest is effectively depleted and theyre hacking at bone now (bankruptcies in metal companies, oil companies, railroad, and even defense companies)

If Germany is squeemish..........I personally hope Istanbul finally locks it in, even though they arent exactly clean either.

Germany isn’t squeemish (well, one city already said yes to bidding), it’s just the debate about which year(s) to aim for.

Istanbul would effectively kill any German hopes for at least another decade because it would count as Europe. I remember IOC members telling the Munich 2018 bid that it was the best, but 2014 was in Europe too…(ironic, given what is happening with 2026/2030, but beggars can‘t be choosers).

But I fully suspect the IOC to roll out the red carpet for Russia as soon as they feel they can risk it without major backlash. The IPC is obviously the guinea pig for that now. And as soon as Russia is fully integrated again, they will certainly want to bid. As if the status of the economy ever mattered when the restoration of national pride was the objective - in Russia or elsewhere.

 

[iceman530]

It would just stun me given how they've completely pulverized their economy for the war against Ukraine.  Could they really flip their economy back to something normal in that amount of time?  I keep seeing reports of "Russian economic collapse any day now", and the timeframe du jour now is summer.  Theyll also try to obsessively rebuild their army after Ukraine has basically turned their entire Soviet legacy armor supply to scrap.  Do they really have the spare change to throw an Olympics?

Wasnt there talk Istanbul could "count for either Europe or Asia", however their whims wanted to bend?  I thought I read something about Istanbul could technically count for Asia as well, which if true, wouldnt jeopardize Germany.

[Sir Rols]

9 hours ago, yoshi said:

I don't know if Kirsty is quite as close to the Ambani (& Modi, by extension) family as Tom was

She went to THE Ambani wedding and Nita was seen as one of the main backers of her candidacy. Still, I think Ahmedabad’s looking shaky - too many janky edges to package neatly.

Even if the IOC allow Russia back into the sporting fold, they’re still going to be considered too much of a pariah state to be seriously considered as a host for a whole yet.

Doha’s the big chance IMO. Wouldn’t be surprised at all see a Doha 36-Munich 40 double.

[iceman530]

Avoiding extensive threadjack, but what's the big appeal of Qatar over Saudi?  I suppose the big one would be that Qatar doesnt expect women to wear a black blanket over their whole body at all times and that Qatar would let women swim and play beach volleyball without having to be extensively covered?  That and Qatar already having a track record of hosting The World Cup?  Christ........makes me realize if one of these does win, especially Qatar, hundreds of people are going to die in preparation just like for the World Cup.

[Roger87]

2 hours ago, iceman530 said:

It would just stun me given how they've completely pulverized their economy for the war against Ukraine.  Could they really flip their economy back to something normal in that amount of time?  I keep seeing reports of "Russian economic collapse any day now", and the timeframe du jour now is summer.  Theyll also try to obsessively rebuild their army after Ukraine has basically turned their entire Soviet legacy armor supply to scrap.  Do they really have the spare change to throw an Olympics?

Wasnt there talk Istanbul could "count for either Europe or Asia", however their whims wanted to bend?  I thought I read something about Istanbul could technically count for Asia as well, which if true, wouldnt jeopardize Germany.

For functionality, the Turkish committee is European. 

[cube]

It would be typical German to rule out 2036 for historical reasons just to watch Rome taking 2036 and ruling out Germany until 2048/52

 

 

@StefanMUC  do  you know if the German NOK will give the winning German City the opportunity to bid for all 3 possible years or if they gonna decide again for 2040 if 2036 Bid fails?

 

If they decide again i think the best outcome for Germany would be if Hamburg and Cologne lose the referendums, so Munich would be the last City standing (Berlin will never get approved from a left goverment they gonna get in autumn) and would get full support.
Otherwise the remaining Cities would hope for Munich (or the city bidding for 2036) to fail so they can get the chance for 2040/44

 

 

 

[baron-pierreIV]

On 2/19/2026 at 3:50 PM, Roger87 said:

For functionality, the Turkish committee is European. 

Except that I think, maybe 5-6 sports played only on the European side; and the rest will have to be in Ankara and other Asian-side cities as that is where the room to build new venues can be found.  So, in reality it's not so much a back-to-Europe hosting. 

Edited March 6 by baron-pierreIV

[StefanMUC]

3 hours ago, cube said:

It would be typical German to rule out 2036 for historical reasons just to watch Rome taking 2036 and ruling out Germany until 2048/52

 

 

@StefanMUC  do  you know if the German NOK will give the winning German City the opportunity to bid for all 3 possible years or if they gonna decide again for 2040 if 2036 Bid fails?

 

If they decide again i think the best outcome for Germany would be if Hamburg and Cologne lose the referendums, so Munich would be the last City standing (Berlin will never get approved from a left goverment they gonna get in autumn) and would get full support.
Otherwise the remaining Cities would hope for Munich (or the city bidding for 2036) to fail so they can get the chance for 2040/44

 

 

 

DOSB plans to go for the same bid for all three cycles as it is now (we’ll see about 2036…but it’s not written off yet).

BTW Sunday there are local elections in Bavaria, so we’ll get a new city council and - likely after a run-off in two weeks - either the same or a new mayor in Munich. The social dem incumbent and clear fave has managed to get himself in a stupid affair about his role on the board of FC Bayern and his undeclared remuneration for it, plus he let the N word slip during the last council meeting (but apologised immediately). He’ll likely still win but it could become a bit more interesting now.

Whatever the outcome all three major parties (social dem, conservatives, greens) are pro-Olympics and so do not expect any change to Munich’s intent after the election.

[baron-pierreIV]

For any German city/region to win in Baden-Baden on 9/26/26, it must rename itself Hamburg-Hamburg, Berlin-Berlin, Munik-Munik or or Rhine-Ruhr/Rhine-Ruhr!!  Here! Here!! 🤪🤪

Edited March 18 by baron-pierreIV

[cfm Jeremie]

The Berlin's bid has a new website: Berlin Olympia

[StefanMUC]

Munich Mayor election run-off tonight ends with a huge shock, especially in terms how clear the victory was: 

Social Dem incumbent (SPD has held Mayor position since 1948 with just one six-year conservative intermezzo in the early 80s) Dieter Reiter loses by about 58/42% to his Green opponent Dominik Krause who is almost half his age. Reiter has only himself in recent weeks to blame because he did not disclose payments for his role on the board of FC Bayern initially and only after the first round two weeks ago announced he would step down from the board and donate the money.

Munich Greens are mostly in favour of bidding and will anyway in the city council have to work with conservatives and SPD, so expect no risk for the bid plan.

Fun fact: Krause will be second youngest Munich Mayor, the youngest one was Hans-Jochen Vogel, who was in that position when Munich was awarded the 1972 Olympics (he left office a few months before the Games to become a federal cabinet member). Maybe a good omen here. And if Krause gets re-elected in six years and 2036 is still on the cards, he would be the one to travel to Brisbane (one can dream…) to take over the flag.

On a different note, the Mayor of Berlin is digging an ever deeper hole after the power outage/tennis scandal in January. He‘ll be out of office after the September elections 100% and a potentially left-led coalition will have a hard time agreeing to pursue the bid (which could leave DOSB in major trouble if they are stupid enough to choose Berlin with literally no public anf thrn also no political support).

Hamburg is painting its plans in a green/sustainable picture, still leaving the cost for the new stadium out of the equation („we‘ll build it anyway“). Let‘s see what the people say end of May. Hamburg would be my preferred choice if Munich is sidelined by DOSB.

Next important date is in four weeks: 19 April Rhine-Ruhr (or Cologne plus X?) referendum. No idea how that will turn out.

[yoshi]

Interesting to see that the Greens are in favour, given how many problems their equivalent party in France has caused 2030 with stopping Lyon. Also interesting about Hamburg building the stadium anyway? Presumably a Stade de France type setup for HSV whatever happens then... Personally with no particular horse I'm just anyone but Berlin. Whichever one gets the highest Yes should probably win out. Hamburg would be interesting, would almost be a Nordic games too. 

[Roger87]

7 hours ago, yoshi said:

Interesting to see that the Greens are in favour, given how many problems their equivalent party in France has caused 2030 with stopping Lyon. Also interesting about Hamburg building the stadium anyway? Presumably a Stade de France type setup for HSV whatever happens then... Personally with no particular horse I'm just anyone but Berlin. Whichever one gets the highest Yes should probably win out. Hamburg would be interesting, would almost be a Nordic games too. 

The Greens in Germany are actually a little different to many of the other european Greens. Part of their electoral success came in part thanks to their pragmatism. 

[StefanMUC]

2 hours ago, Roger87 said:

The Greens in Germany are actually a little different to many of the other european Greens. Part of their electoral success came in part thanks to their pragmatism. 

I’d say there are different streams within the party, but the more pragmatic ones have been more successful in elections generally. The new Munich Mayor wouldn’t have been elected if he had been a hard left guy. Instead he’s probably trying to combine ecological transformation of the city with improving social issues (lack of housing mostly). No big ideology campaigns here (unlike probably in the upcoming Berlin elections).

What’s more worrying in Germany as a whole is the continued rise of the fascists (basically at 25% on national level, stronger in East Germany but catching up in the West too) in combination with enabling conservatives and self-imposed decline of spineless social democrats.

[StefanMUC]

On 3/22/2026 at 7:39 PM, StefanMUC said:

 

Munich Greens are mostly in favour of bidding and will anyway in the city council have to work with conservatives and SPD, so expect no risk for the bid plan.

 

Just FYI: Today in an interview with Der Spiegel, Krause (the new Mayor) was asked about the bid and he gave a very clear answer that he fully supports it. So as I said, our local elections had no influence on the bid plan.

[Sir Rols]

So, the dawn of referendum day for Rhine-Ruhr Cologne. I trust you’ll keep us informed on the results @StefanMUC?

[StefanMUC]

Just a heads up that today is last voting day in the CologneWhateverNameThe BidHasNow referendum (mail voting - shock horror, Donald!) has been going on for a while.

Some polls suggest a positive result (around 54/46), so we‘ll probably know more tonight. Public support figures alone will of course not determine the German bidder, so Munich cannot be too sure about anything yet.

[StefanMUC]

Just now, Sir Rols said:

So, the dawn of referendum day for Rhine-Ruhr Cologne. I trust you’ll keep us informed on the results @StefanMUC?

LOL just literally at the same time!

[StefanMUC]

Also just learned that there is today also a referendum in Kiel whether to be involved with the eventual winner bid as a sailing venue. It was of course the 1972 venue already, and would work with all bidders, though I think Rostock-Warnemünde also is interested.

[StefanMUC]

The counting is not finished yet, because each individual city involved in the bid plan has its own vote and if that fails, that city is out of the plan.

However, the results known so far seem to point to Munich-level support across the board, with the only exception being the smaller town of Herten (planned as mountainbike venue). While they had a clear positive result, not enough people voted (there is a quorum), which means the referenfum failed there and mountainbike needs to gind a different venue. Not clear if that would then have a referendum too.

In any case, there now seem to be already two national bids with strong public support, in a Western democracy. The IOC shouldn’t be so stupid and let this chance slip no matter which of them DOSB picks (unless of course they’re doing the crazy thing and go for the candidate which definitely will have the least public support, our beloved national capital).

Kiel also approved with about 70/30 I think, so sailing is secured as well (and I would guess coastal rowing if that will be a thing beyond LA28).