Munich selected as German 2036 Olympic candidate facing infrastructure risks

DOSB Asserts Leadership Over Munich Bid

Following the national selection event in Baden-Baden, the organizational structure of the German bid remains a point of contention. Thomas Weikert told the SZ that while Munich is the candidate city, the DOSB will effectively “wear the hat” in terms of ultimate responsibility and direction.

The campaign is expected to begin immediately, with representatives planning to “get running” starting Monday. A meeting is scheduled within the next three weeks involving the German federal government, state and city officials, and the DOSB to finalize the organizational framework.

Infrastructure Risks and Timing Uncertainties

Despite the enthusiasm surrounding the selection, a DOSB audit report has identified “risks” and “temporal uncertainties” regarding Munich’s readiness for 2036. A primary concern is the city’s second S-Bahn trunk line, which current forecasts suggest will not be completed until the end of 2036—the same year the Games would take place.

Planners also face significant hurdles regarding the Olympic Village. These infrastructure gaps mean that city officials must accelerate planning and construction timelines to meet the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) requirements, as the IOC intends to narrow the field of candidates by the spring.

Departure from the Traditional GmbH Model

Historically, German Olympic bids—including Berlin 2000, Leipzig 2012, and Munich 2018—were managed through a dedicated “Olympia-GmbH” (limited liability company). These entities typically featured boards consisting of sports officials and political representatives. However, Weikert has explicitly ruled out this approach for the current cycle, stating, “It will not be that we now found a bidding GmbH Munich/DOSB.”

Weikert justified this departure by claiming that certain elements, such as sports venue planning, have already been addressed—matters that were typically settled only after the formation of a GmbH in previous bids. This shift in structure may be influenced by the DOSB’s creation of its own internal Olympic department and the establishment of a Federal Minister for Sport and Volunteering within the Chancellery, which suggests a more direct line of control for federal politics.

Financial Stakes and Political Friction

The cost of the national selection process has already reached a high double-digit million euro figure, a sum described as unprecedented for a pre-bid phase. This expense stemmed from the competitive nature of the selection, which pitted Munich against “KölnRheinRuhr,” Berlin, and Hamburg.

Moving forward, the financial commitment is expected to grow significantly. Taxpayer funds will flow into the bid process for several years, potentially extending through the 2044 Games allocation. While political representatives across various parties have framed the bid as a unifying national project, the high costs and the struggle for control over the process have created internal tension.

Leadership Transitions and Internal Rivalries

The bid’s leadership faces potential instability as Thomas Weikert’s term as DOSB President ends this year. Reports suggest that Michael Mronz, a German IOC member and sports manager from Cologne, could be installed in the role. Mronz, however, faces opposition within the German sporting community, a situation further complicated by the defeat of the “KölnRheinRuhr” bid in favor of Munich.

The assertive tone adopted by the DOSB leadership has reportedly caused friction among other partners, as the organization seeks to maintain its grip on the process through its specialized Olympic department and the detailed evaluation matrix used during the national selection.

Comparison of Past German Bid Structures

The next critical milestone is the meeting between the federal government, the state of Bavaria, the city of Munich, and the DOSB over the next three weeks to determine the exact chain of command for the 2036 campaign.