Berlin’s state government is pushing forward with its bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games, sparking renewed debate over the project’s feasibility and public mandate. A proposal set to be approved by the Senate on Tuesday outlines the creation of a 24-member advisory board, designed to bolster public support for what remains a contentious issue.
The board, jointly chaired by Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) and Senator for Home Affairs and Sports, Iris Spranger (SPD), will include prominent figures from politics, business, social organizations and sports. Securing the participation of star athlete Malika Mihambo, a decorated track and field champion, is being presented as a key element in cultivating broader enthusiasm.
However, the move to establish this advisory body highlights a significant democratic deficit. The creation of the board circumvents a public referendum – constitutionally precluded in Berlin – which would have allowed residents to directly express their views on the increasingly expensive and complex undertaking. Critics argue that the government’s reluctance to hold a referendum reflects a lack of confidence in securing popular support.
The board’s mandate is to increase public acceptance, a task rendered more challenging by ongoing scrutiny surrounding the potential economic and infrastructural costs of hosting the Games. The appointment of Kaweh Niroomand, an Iranian-German volleyball manager, as Berlin’s Olympic Commissioner in July 2023, further underscores the government’s commitment – and arguably, its determination – to pursue the bid, despite lingering concerns about value for money and the project’s impact on the city’s resources.
The first meeting is scheduled for December 11, with bi-weekly sessions planned until September 2026, to assist Niroomand. The board’s success will ultimately hinge on its ability to convince a skeptical public and demonstrate that the potential benefits of hosting the Games outweigh the considerable risks and financial obligations involved.
