Berlin Parliament Approves Bid to Host 2036 Olympics

Berlin's state parliament approved the city's bid to host the Olympic Games in a vote held on Thursday. The proposal targets an event in 2036, 2040, or 2044 to mark the 100th anniversary of the 1936 Games. Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner said the bid represents a promise for future generations and would bring positive development to the city.

Wegner's CDU party received support from SPD members and the AfD during the 90-minute debate.

Financial estimates place total costs at 4.82 billion euros with projected revenue of 5.24 billion euros, producing a net profit of roughly 420 million euros. One quarter of the profit would go to the International Olympic Committee. The plan uses existing sports facilities and proposes the city park at the former Tempelhof airport as a venue.

Organizers decided against holding a public referendum on the bid.

Representatives from the Left party and the Greens opposed the proposal. They cited financial risks and noted that recent Olympic Games exceeded initial cost estimates by more than double. Berlin's bid is one of four German proposals under review. The German Olympic Sports Confederation will decide on 26 September which bid to submit to the International Olympic Committee.