Olympic Games in North Rhine-Westphalia, in the Rhine-Ruhr region – this has been the dream and goal of an initiative led by sports official Michael Mronz for many years. He is now an IOC member. The idea is now being pushed forward from many quarters. In 2021, Rhein-Ruhr-City suffered a severe setback. The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) did not take up the idea at the time.
The 2032 Summer Games were awarded to Australia before Germany had even decided on a bid. But now the protagonists and attitude at the DOSB have changed. The association is considering an Olympic bid for 2036 or 2040. In a selection process, the DOSB wants to examine which region or city Germany could apply for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The support for an application in society is also checked. This is essential for the DOSB after the failed applications from Hamburg and Munich in referendums.
For the past few weeks, the sports association has been monitoring the mood in the country at dialogue events.
North Rhine-Westphalia has repeatedly emphasized its interest in the Olympics. On Tuesday, November 28th, North Rhine-Westphalia signed the “Memorandum of Understanding” of the German Olympic Sports Confederation. The country thereby officially declares its willingness to apply as a candidate for the DOSB selection process to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Germany.
Other interested parties in Germany
Berlin, Hamburg, Munich (with Bavaria) and Leipzig (with Saxony) have also expressed interest. The DOSB wants to enter into an application process for the Summer Games with at least two and a maximum of four locations. Next Saturday the guidelines for an application will be precisely defined.
The declaration of intent from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia was signed by Andrea Milz, State Secretary for Sport and Volunteering in North Rhine-Westphalia, and Düsseldorf’s mayor Stephan Keller for the state capital, according to a statement from the Rhein-Ruhr-City initiative.
15 municipalities, including Bonn with the Telekom Dome and the baseball stadium in the Rheinaue, are involved in the initiative. The argument you repeatedly make for the Olympic Games in the region: More than 95 percent of the required sports facilities are already in place. This is not only a criterion of the DOSB, but also of the International Olympic Committee. Large new buildings just for the Olympics should be avoided.
Mronz abandons activity for initiative
North Rhine-Westphalia also cites its geographical location and transport infrastructure as a plus point. “North Rhine-Westphalia can submit an offer to the DOSB that is 100 percent ecologically, economically and socially sustainable. Located in the heart of Europe, with Rhein-Ruhr-City we bring the games to the people and thus meet the requirements of ecologically sustainable transport options,” explained Milz. “I look forward to continuing the trusting and constructive exchange with the DOSB and the state capital for North Rhine-Westphalia,” Milz continued in the statement.
In addition, Rhein-Ruhr-City announced on Tuesday that Michael Mronz will suspend his activities as initiator of the Rhine-Ruhr-City decade project due to his new role as IOC member and DOSB executive board member.
2023-11-28 18:05:40
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