Härtel on Olympic bid: "Time is running out"

In addition to a lack of commitment to the bid for the 2036 or 2040 Games, Härtel also criticized the BMI for its lack of expertise in the wake of the now withdrawn "Sports Development Plan": "In our federal state, the responsibilities for sport are varied and complicated: Municipalities, districts, states and the federal government - all are somehow responsible for sport. Those responsible at the BMI should actually know this," said Härtel.

The "Sports Development Plan", which was to be signed at the second Movement Summit on March 12, is "nothing more than a string of things along the lines of "make a wish"," said Härtel, "but it lacks a superstructure, a classification. This draft is therefore not suitable as a general basis for a sustainable development plan." With the development plan, the BMI should make an impact. "And this proposal was a total failure," said Härtel.

The BMI explained that work on the development plan was continuing. "In doing so, we are aiming to first seek coordination with those involved at federal level before we then approach our partners in the federal states, at local level and in organized sport," a spokesperson said. The working groups had presented convincing results in their respective subject areas.