Berlin presented its campaign as Germany’s candidate for the next Olympic Games, with a special focus on the development of the city for young and future generations.
– We want a better sports infrastructure for our clubs and for the sports metropolis of Berlin. But, above all, we want to invest in the future of our city – Mayor Kai Wegner said today.
The campaign called “Berlin wins with Olympia” was presented at the city’s velodrome, and 150 children were among the guests.
– We want to make the Olympic Games come to Berlin for you, so that not only sports events are held here, but that the whole city benefits – said Wegner.
Critics believe that the German capital should invest in sports facilities accessible to all, such as swimming pools and gymnasiums, but Senator for the Interior Iris Spranger pointed out that this is also part of the plan.
– Modern sports facilities, better conditions for training and new spaces for movement do not only benefit top sports, but, above all, the citizens of Berlin in their daily lives. This is exactly what this candidacy is about, long-term added value for the capital – said Spranger.
The campaign will be visible throughout the city and on social networks, and the organizers plan to involve citizens through workshops and online seminars.
A survey commissioned by the newspaper “Tagesspiegel” in November showed that the majority of citizens are against the candidacy, while the initiative of the regional sports association gathered 28,000 votes of support, with a request for a parliamentary declaration.
Berlin is not planning a referendum. In contrast, in Munich, the population supported the candidacy last fall, while Hamburg is planning a referendum in the spring. The Rhine-Ruhr region is also in the running.
The German Olympic Sports Association will decide on the candidate on September 26, and then whether the candidacy will be for the 2036, 2040 or 2044 Olympic Games.
Berlin hosted the Olympic Games in 1936, during the Nazi regime. The candidacy for the 2000 Games was unsuccessful, reminds DPA.
(Vijesti.ba/Fena)
