LSB Saxony Regrets Berlin's Withdrawal from the Olympic Bid

The Saxony State Sports Federation (LSB) has reacted with disappointment to the withdrawal of Berlin’s Olympic bid. “We deeply regret the withdrawal of Berlin+. Leipzig and Saxony were fully committed to this concept. The joint bid demonstrated the potential that lies in combining an international metropolis with strong sports hubs and a rich sporting tradition in the regions,” explained LSB President Frank Pfeil in a press release.

Two days before the decision on the German candidate was to be made, Berlin withdrew its bid. The city had planned to bid, under the “Berlin+” concept, jointly with Brandenburg, Saxony, and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania to host the 2036, 2040, or 2044 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Prior to the German Olympic Sports Confederation’s (DOSB) decision on Saturday, Berlin was considered only an underdog behind Munich and Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr.

Full Support from Saxony for the German Bid

The Saxony State Sports Federation (LSB Sachsen) views it positively that, with the Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr bid, the canoe park in Markkleeberg and the sailing venue in Rostock-Warnemünde remain in the running. “This sends a strong signal that the Olympic and Paralympic Games should be viewed as a pan-German project,” said Pfeil, adding ahead of this Saturday’s decision in Baden-Baden: “We do not want to preempt this vote: Both Munich and Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr can count on the unconditional support of organized sports in Saxony if they are selected.”

In last Sunday’s state parliamentary election, the CDU-SPD Senate in Berlin—which had driven the plans forward—was voted out of office. Election winner Elif Eralp (The Left), who could become the new governing mayor, opposes the Olympics and had already criticized the bid process and its costs. The Greens, who are expected to be part of the government, also reject the plans in the capital.