Wegner expects the Olympics in Berlin more likely in the 2040s

Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) believes that Olympic Games in the capital in the 2040s are more likely than in 2036. "We are also looking at 2036, but I believe that time is slowly running out," said Wegner in Berlin. "Therefore, the year 2040 or 2044 is much more likely." However, he is not attached to any particular year.

The state of Berlin wants to bring the Olympics to Germany together with Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein. "Berlin+" is the name of the concept, which envisages the capital as the main venue.

Olympic Games 2036 would "also be an opportunity" for Wegner

A bid for the year 2036 is repeatedly discussed very critically. The background to this is that the Olympic Games would then be held in Berlin again exactly 100 years after the Games were instrumentalized by the Nazis.

"I wouldn't have ruled out 2036. No matter where the Games are held then, there will be a look back at the 1936 Games," said Wegner. "It would have been a bit of an opportunity to show that Germany has become a different country after these politically instrumentalized Nazi Games."

Decision to be made by autumn 2026

In addition to Berlin, Munich, Hamburg and North Rhine-Westphalia with the Rhine and Ruhr region are also planning a bid for the Olympic Games and Paralympics. The respective bid concepts will be reviewed by the German Olympic Sports Confederation by the end of September.

Admissible bids are to be presented at the DOSB General Assembly at the end of the year. The decision on the German bid is to be made by fall 2026 and then approved by the DOSB members.