Munich in the Olympic fight: referendum decides the future!

Munich in the Olympic fight: referendum decides the future!

There is currently a hot debate in Munich as to whether the city should apply for the Summer Olympics or not. While the city council and the Bavarian state government are clearly in favor of an application initiative, there is resistance from the “NOlympia Munich” alliance. This alliance has formed to compete against an application for the years 2036, 2040 or 2044. There is already a clear trend in opinion: in a survey, 66 percent of respondents supported an application, while 31 percent were against it, as [Bayerischer Rundfunk](https://www.br.de/nachrichten/bayern/nolympia-buendnis-stellen-sich-gegen-sommerspiele-in-muenchen, Ute2kCh) reports.

The “NOlympia” alliance, which also includes prominent members such as Ludwig Hartmann from the Greens as well as representatives of the Left, ÖDP and the Federation for Nature Conservation, has already proven itself in the past. In 2013 he managed to prevent Munich from applying for the 2022 Winter Games. The alliance is now being revived and is planning an active information campaign after the summer holidays to mobilize Munich citizens against the Olympic bid. Their slogan: "For Munich. Against the Olympics," reports the Süddeutsche Zeitung.

Political positions and economic concerns

Opinions are divided in Munich's political landscape. While Bavaria's Sports Minister Joachim Herrmann (CSU) supports the application and points out the sustainable use of existing sports facilities, Hartmann expresses sharp criticism of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Among other things, he criticizes the fact that the contract does not require the IOC to pay corporate tax on profits, while the taxpayer bears the costs of any losses. Concerns about possible traffic chaos and rising rental prices in Munich, as occurred at the Paris 2024 Games, are also being loudly expressed, as Bayerischer Rundfunk notes.

A city-wide referendum on October 26th will decide whether Munich should take the next step towards an Olympic bid. Mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD) emphasized that no application will be submitted without the support of the population. If the vote is positive, the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) will have to decide by the end of 2026 which German city will enter the race. In addition to Munich, other cities such as Berlin, Hamburg and the Rhine/Ruhr region have also expressed interest.

Infrastructure and environmental protection

However, the vision of a successful application goes beyond sporting matters. Proponents argue that the Olympics provide an opportunity to improve infrastructure. Planned measures include, among other things, the expansion of local transport and the creation of more living space. The Bavarian State Sports Association (BLSV) also supports the application and emphasizes the positive ecological significance of the 1972 Olympics. However, opponents warn that the expected costs of up to ten billion euros by 2030 represent an incalculable risk. Environmental concerns about the impact on green spaces, air corridors and groundwater in the Daglfing development area are also being raised, as the Süddeutsche Zeitung and other reports show.

The coming weeks and the upcoming referendum will be decisive in determining the direction in which the discussion about the Olympic bid will develop. The citizens of Munich are faced with the choice of whether they want to seize the historic opportunity or continue the resistance. We remain excited!