Opposition present internally, the Greens endorse the Munich Olympics
Munich's Bid for the 2028 Summer Olympics Gains Momentum
Munich's bid for the 2028 Summer Olympics is gaining support, with the state parliamentary faction making a decision to back the proposal in June. The Bavarian State Sports Association, led by President Jörg Ammon, is one of the key proponents of the bid, believing that the Olympic Games could serve as a catalyst for infrastructure projects and encourage more people to participate in sports, especially those with disabilities.
The Greens, a prominent political party in Germany, are divided on the issue. While the current faction leader, Katharina Schulze, is a supporter of the bid, her former co-faction leader, Ludwig Hartmann, remains an opponent. Prominent Green politician Christian Hierneis, however, is a supporter of Munich's bid for the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Ludwig Hartmann has voiced concerns about the potential costs and ecological impact of the Olympics, arguing that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) secures profits while the general public may face possible losses. In contrast, Hartmann's Green counterparts view the Summer Olympics as less problematic ecologically.
Max Deisenhofer, the parliamentary group's spokesman on sports, remains calm about the opposition within the Greens and believes that most of the party is in favour of the bid. He also points to Paris' successful organization of the Olympics sustainably as evidence that the games can be managed in an environmentally friendly manner.
The only dissenting vote in the state parliamentary faction regarding the Olympics bid came from Ludwig Hartmann. A referendum in 2013 also failed to gain a majority for the Winter Olympics bid.
Despite the controversy, there is a "positive mood" at the federal level regarding the Olympics bid, according to Deisenhofer. Munich already has many existing sports facilities, which could help reduce the need for extensive infrastructure development.
Jörg Ammon believes that the Olympic Games could have a significant impact on society as a whole. "We need that for society as a whole," he said. The Bavarian State Sports Association is counting on the possible signal effect of the Olympics, hoping that it could encourage more people to do sports and give a significant boost to disability sports.
As the bid for the 2028 Summer Olympics progresses, it remains to be seen whether Munich will be chosen as the host city. Regardless, the debate within the Greens and the broader public demonstrates the complexities and challenges of hosting such a large-scale event.
