On Sunday, May 31, the residents of Hamburg will decide whether their city officially enters the race to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Following Munich in October and the Rhine-Ruhr region in April, this referendum is the third of its kind in Germany regarding a bid to host the 2036, 2040, or 2044 Games. The first two were won decisively. On paper, Hamburg also appears to have the arguments to convince voters and achieve the same outcome.

76% of existing sites and a focus on sustainability

No monumental or unreasonable projects are on the horizon: Hamburg is moving with the times, and is therefore proposing Games with 76% of the competition venues already in existence. The missing facilities will be temporary, then reused. The Games will adapt to the city, not the other way around. ", promises the project. Unlike in 2015, when the "no" vote had wonThe financial contribution of the federal government is also guaranteed. If Hamburg does not seize this opportunity, the investments will be allocated to one of the other candidate regions. ", we read, as a warning, on the candidacy website.

Twenty of the 33 planned competition venues are located directly within the city of Hamburg, including 17 within a seven-kilometer radius of the Olympic Park City. This will facilitate access to the venues, even on foot, and promote active transportation—a particularly compelling argument in terms of sustainability. Athletes will also benefit: 21 of the 23 sports on the program will take place within a 10-kilometer radius of the Olympic Village, and 40% of athletes will be able to reach their competition venue in less than 15 minutes on foot. An Olympic cycle path and a dedicated bus line for transporting athletes and visitors are also planned.

"To submit a bid that is appropriate for Hamburg"

Around 15.000 athletes and officials are expected to stay at the Science City, currently under construction in Bahrenfeld, during the Games. The apartments, of varying sizes, can then be converted into housing for approximately 9.000 Hamburg residents, with over 56% of these units being social housing. Hamburg envisions a spectacular opening ceremony on the inland Alster Lake. Pontoons will be installed there, allowing the lake to host events such as 3x3 basketball, archery, and… padel. Hamburg would like to offer padel, along with stand-up paddleboarding, as an additional sport, following suggestions from the public in an online survey conducted last November.

Preview of the opening ceremony on Lake Alster (Neuland Concerts).

Sailing, rugby, and handball would take place in Kiel, canoe slalom in Markkleeberg (which already has a whitewater stadium), and football would involve Bremen, Hanover, Wolfsburg, Rostock, Magdeburg, and Dresden. The project has evolved, demonstrating that the organizers remain responsive: following criticism from environmental groups, the mountain biking event would no longer be held in the Harburg hills, but in Hummelsbüttel.

Steffen Rülke, head of Hamburg's bid, stressed the importance of involving the population in this process: We want to present a bid that reflects Hamburg. That's why it's so important for us to listen to the people of Hamburg. They know best what the Games should be like and what would best suit our city. The Games must benefit as many people as possible, far beyond the competitions themselves. “Since November, workshops, conferences, and roundtables have been organized in different parts of the city so that the public can exchange ideas and ask questions about the project. More than 165 ideas proposed by citizens have been incorporated into the project.”