In 1972 the Olympic Games will be held in Germany for the last time. Since then, some applications have failed miserably, others have silted up or ended early. Ironically, on the 100th anniversary of the Nazi Games of 1936, that should change, IOC boss Thomas Bach hopes.
Olympic Games in Germany, 100 years after the historically charged Nazi Games in Berlin, are imaginable for IOC President Thomas Bach. “Of course there would be critics and there would be critics among the other applicants. But from an international point of view, Germany is not accused of these 1936 games,” Bach told “Sport Bild”.
The question of whether there should be a German Olympic bid for the 2036 Games – possibly again in Berlin – has been a controversial topic for a long time. Bach explained that such games could even set an example, just as Munich had set an example in 1972. “Back then, we weren’t accused of the 1936 games either. This opportunity would also arise in 2036 – I wouldn’t see the real obstacle on the date,” added the 68-year-old.
The summer games in Munich 50 years ago were a turning point for German sport, said Bach: “The reputation of the sport was completely different, that had an impact on school sport and competitive sport. You can’t overestimate that at all.”
The European Championships begin this Thursday in the Bavarian capital. Until August 21st, European Championships in nine sports will be held in parallel in a kind of mini-Olympics. “The example of Munich can also help to increase acceptance and approval for the Olympics in our country,” said the President of the German Olympic Sports Confederation, Thomas Weikert.
Most recently, German Olympic applications failed several times due to the lack of acceptance among the population. Nevertheless, at the beginning of the week, sports manager Michael Mronz also campaigned for renewed efforts at the Olympics in Germany.
“A major sporting event such as the Olympic and Paralympic Games would give sport as a whole a major boost. That’s why we should deal with it today for the future of our children and our society, despite the current crises,” said the initiator of the private Rhine-Ruhr campaign to the summer games in 2032. However, this had failed prematurely.
