The DOSB can take the next step when it comes to the Olympic bid. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser also made a commitment to a German bid for the Olympics. However, funding remains unclear. Opinions also differ on the subject of Russia.
The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) can take the next step towards a possible Olympic bid with a clear tailwind. The delegates at the 20th DOSB general meeting on Saturday gave the umbrella organization the green light to create a detailed concept that will be presented to the public in the second half of 2024.
In his speech, DOSB President Thomas Weikert spoke of a “mission that our country can really use.” The 62-year-old added: “If we Germans don’t do it, then we don’t have to be surprised if the others do it. We’re going to the Olympics or Paralympics in Germany. Whether summer or winter: we don’t back down.”
Federal Minister of the Interior Faeser for the Olympic bid
Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has also made a commitment to a German bid for the Olympics. “The Olympic Games give us the chance to present ourselves as a cosmopolitan, modern Germany and to strengthen the feeling of unity,” said the SPD politician on Saturday at the DOSB general meeting.
It is not an easy task in this time of war and economic crisis. “Why the Olympics now? I say yes to that,” emphasized Faeser. “We want a strong and credible application and will support the DOSB in this.” The federal government wants to continue on the path it has chosen and jointly give shape to a German application “to use the Olympic and Paralympic Games for sport in Germany,” said the 53-year-old.
Financing of the Olympic bid remains unclear
The expectation that the minister responsible for sport would also support further financing of the major Olympic project with the aim of applying for the 2036 or 2040 Summer Games remained unfulfilled. The application process has recently been put on hold because the federal government is currently unable to make any financial commitments due to the budget freeze.
This was also criticized by DOSB President Weikert, who took the federal government to task in his speech and, with reference to the coalition agreement, called for “a clear commitment” through binding financial commitments: “Words alone are not enough in the long term. Actions must also follow, Because only if sport and federal politics send out a common and credible signal at an early stage that we want to bring the Olympic and Paralympic Games to Germany, will we have a chance of convincing the population.”
Disappointment with Faeser’s DOSB speech
Faeser countered the sports show. “We have committed to continuing the dialogue process, which also includes financial responsibility. We will therefore support the further process of the Olympic bid very positively,” said the Federal Minister of the Interior after her speech. Stefan Klett, President of the State Sports Association of North Rhine-Westphalia, was not impressed by this. He sharply criticized Nancy Faeser’s speech.
“An absolutely disappointing performance. The Federal Minister of the Interior failed to put the Chancellor and the government clearly at the forefront of the Olympic bid. Instead, there is only talk about somehow supporting the DOSB,” Klett told Sportschau. In his opinion, the federal government would not stick to its own words with regard to the declaration of intent.
“A lot of words are said, but then no actions are followed. We experience this in many places where non-profit organized sport is involved. In Sunday speeches you are encouraged and praised, but when the going gets tough, there is no support there.”
Weikert defends the autonomy of sport
Sport and political representatives also have a different opinion when it comes to dealing with Russian and Belarusian athletes. DOSB President Weikert trusts in the autonomy and unifying nature of sport. It must be accepted that these athletes are allowed to compete as individual, neutral athletes, as the DOSB explained in a position paper from the beginning of November 2023.
DOSB President Thomas Weikert
“If Germany were the only country to block Russians and Belarusians from competing under a neutral flag, there would be no international sporting events in our country,” Weikert said in his speech. Politics should not ignore the interests of sport.
Faeser with a clear stance towards Russia
Nancy Faeser, on the other hand, would refuse entry to athletes from Russia and Belarus because of the war in Ukraine. “For me, the Ukrainian athletes are in the foreground and it must always be ensured that they enjoy full protection,” the Federal Interior Minister told the Sportschau.
One should not disadvantage the Russian and Belarusian athletes who could not help the war. “But I expect them to at least make a clear commitment against the war.” As the federal government, they have a clear stance and they will not deviate from it.
Controversial application withdrawn
Another controversial topic disappeared from the agenda on Friday evening: Weikert’s honorary DOSB presidium withdrew an application for “appropriate flat-rate compensation for expenses for members of the presidium” shortly before the general meeting. The application had been controversially discussed in advance.
Thomas Weikert, President of the German Olympic Sports Confederation, bids farewell to Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) after her speech at the DOSB general meeting.
According to the DOSB, Weikert, a lawyer by profession, worked for the umbrella organization on more than 150 days this year and was not available to his law firm in Limburg during this time. “We are withdrawing the motion, but the debate must continue,” said Weikert. This Saturday, however, the unity of organized sport and the signal to Berlin were more important concerns for the DOSB Presidium.
Reform of elite sports funding decided
In contrast, the reform of top-class sports promotion and management was initiated. The concept developed for this purpose with an independent sports agency and a sports funding law was passed and is now to be implemented in the next few years. The implementation of the reform, which is intended to do something about the declining number of medals at the Olympic Games that has been declining for years, will begin next year.
