Munich earns green light for Games

Banku3 hours ago

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The Bavarian capital has made it clear at the ballot box that it wants to reclaim its place as a major player on the global sporting stage.
With 66.4% of votes in favour in Sunday’s referendum — a poll with record turnout — residents backed the bid to host the Summer Olympics in 2036, 2040 or 2044.

The announcement of the result unleashed a wave of jubilation at the House of Sports, where supporters, officials and athletes celebrated what many described as the rebirth of Munich’s Olympic dream.

“This is a good day for Munich,” declared Mayor Dieter Reiter to the Deutsche Presse-Agentur, confirming the preliminary figures before an ecstatic crowd.

Of the 1.1 million eligible voters, more than 305,000 supported the proposal, compared to 154,000 who opposed it.
The result was not only decisive but symbolically powerful — marking the first successful referendum in Germany in favour of hosting the Olympic Games.

“There wasn’t a single outlier; all districts are backing the Olympic bid,” said Reiter, adding that “I believe we can now approach the application with fresh energy and enthusiasm.”

Political and Public Reaction

On the political front, Bavarian Premier Markus Söder emerged as the chief voice of excitement.
From the makeshift stage at the supporters’ party, he declared:

“Now we’re off! Now we’re pulling ahead.”

He called the vote “a very strong signal” and added, amid applause, that it was an “awesome story.”

The Bavarian State Sports Association President Jörg Ammon called the outcome “a dream result,” saying it was “a great day for athletes of the Olympic and Paralympic Games”. He added that the vote demonstrates confidence in sport’s power to unite society and drive the city forward.

A Legacy-Based Strategy

Munich is banking on its experience, infrastructure, and public backing to lead the way.
The city hosted the Games in 1972 — the last held in Germany — and still retains many of the venues used then, such as the Olympic Stadium.
Reusing these facilities is the capital’s trump card, especially after the failed bid for the 2022 Winter Games.

The proposal includes:

Investment in public transport
Infrastructure upgrades
New housing in the city’s north, where the Olympic Village would be built

The council is already renovating the Olympic Stadium and constructing new sports facilities, such as a tennis hall at MTTC Iphitos.

Next Steps

Sunday’s vote allows the city council to move forward with greater confidence.
However, major decisions will be postponed until the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) defines its position in autumn 2026, when it will decide which candidate — Munich, Berlin, Hamburg or the Rhine-Ruhr region — will represent Germany before the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Until then, Bavaria will continue refining its proposal, aware that India, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia are preparing strong campaigns to secure the Games.

Mixed Reactions

Not everyone was celebrating on referendum night.
At the Greek House cultural centre, where opponents of the bid gathered, the mood was somber.

“We didn’t expect it to be this clear,” admitted Stefan Jagel, leader of the Die Linke party.
“This is a democratic decision that we respect,” added Ludwig Hartmann, vice-president of the Bavarian parliament and leading Green Party critic.

Critics argued the vote was “anything but fair,” citing the heavy pro-campaign presence at public venues, including Oktoberfest.

They warned that the Games could bring high costs, rising rents, and urban imbalances, arguing that funds should instead go to housing and sustainable development.

“We will closely monitor whether the promises made in the bid are actually delivered,” said Hartmann.

Looking Forward

Despite criticism, some sceptics acknowledged the democratic process.

“We naturally respect the vote,” said Jagel.
“Citizen participation is essential, even if the outcome is not what was hoped for.”

As Sunday night fell, the lights of the Olympic Park illuminated a city rediscovering its ambition.
Between enthusiasm and caution, Munich now sees itself as heir to a story that began fifty years ago — and seeks a new chapter.