German Olympics body approve roadmap for decision on Olympics bid

The German Olympic body DOSB on Saturday approved the roadmap leading up to a decision on the German Olympics bid at the extraordinary general meeting on September 26, 2026.

By then, it should be clear whether the DOSB will enter the race for the 2036, 2040, or 2044 Summer Games with Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, or the Rhine-Ruhr region with Cologne as its core city.

"Of the four very strong bids, the strongest will ultimately emerge as the winner. And whoever succeeds will also have a good chance internationally of bringing the Olympic and Paralympic Games to Germany – not just for themselves, but for the whole of Germany," DOSB President Thomas Weikert said.

The selection of the candidate will be based on a complex matrix comprising various categories and criteria such as international appeal and national acceptance.

Despite the four-way contest, the DOSB wants to take a united approach.

"All of us here are behind the Olympics in Germany, without exception, united and strong," Weikert said.

Munich residents recently voted in favour of the Olympic bid, while North Rhine-Westphalia is to hold a referendum on April 19 on whether they should move forward.

Berlin could only hold a referendum in 2027 at the earliest, therefore only after the DOSB decides on the German candidate for the Games.

A recent survey, however, showed that 67% residents in the German capital are against the bid.

Germany hosted summer Games 1936 in Berlin and 1972 in Munich. Several bids since then have failed or were stopped by referendums.

DOSB sets ambitious goals

Germany aims to be one of the top five sporting nations in the world by 2035, according to the DOSB.

The goal is among six ambitious targets that the DOSB adopted at its general meeting in Frankfurt on Saturday.

Possible metrics include the country's position in the Olympic medal table and its performance based on Olympic ranking points, which encompass more than just the medal table alone.

Within the next 10 years, the DOSB aims to increase the amount of time children and young people spend exercising to at least 90 minutes per day and adults to 150 minutes per week.

"Imagine how this will affect quality of life: it means being fitter, healthier, and simply feeling better about yourself," Weikert said.

According DOSB data, only about 20% of children and young people and around 60% of adults currently meet the requirements.

The DOSB also plans to campaign for people in Germany to be able to reach a modern sports facility within a maximum of 15 minutes.

"Ambitious? Yes. Feasible? Yes. At least if we all pull together," Weikert emphasized.

Other goals include increasing the number of members in sports clubs, increase the number of certified coaches and making all people feel welcome and comfortable in sports clubs.