The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) has taken the next step in the application process for the Summer Games and applied to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne for inclusion in the so-called “Continuous Dialogue”.
The delegation included DOSB President Thomas Weikert, the German IOC members Kim Bui and Michael Mronz as well as Christiane Schenderlein, Minister of State for Sport and Volunteering.
During the “Continuous Dialogue”, a regular exchange, applicants speak to the IOC early and openly about concepts, framework conditions and expectations. It’s not about a specific year. The DOSB has its sights set on the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2036, 2040 or 2044.
“By entering the Continuous Dialogue, we are sending a clear signal: Germany is serious about its application,” said Weikert: “We look forward to an even more intensive, collaborative exchange with the IOC from now on and the opportunity to further develop the dream of an Olympic Games in Germany.”
The federal government recently underlined its support. Last week, Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s cabinet agreed to sign the so-called “Political Agreement on a German bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Games”.
“Bringing the Olympic and Paralympic Games to Germany is our most important sports policy goal,” said Schenderlein in Switzerland. “I was able to explain to IOC President Kirsty Coventry in more detail today in a personal exchange why we want to bring the Games to our country and that we believe in the success of a German bid.”
Because Germany has many strengths. “We can hold major sporting events,” said Schenderlein, “we love sport, it is part of our identity as a successful sporting nation and our cohesion. We are confident that sport will find the best national candidate next year and that we will then convince internationally.”
In Munich, the referendum on October 26th was clearly in favor of an application. The referendum in North Rhine-Westphalia is scheduled to take place on April 19th and the vote in Hamburg on May 31st. The fourth candidate is Berlin.
The DOSB wants to decide which city/region will enter the race at an extraordinary general meeting on September 26, 2026 in Baden-Baden. Germany last hosted the Olympics in Munich in 1972.
“With today’s step, Germany is officially interested in hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” the DOSB announced on Friday. The further decision-making process will be determined at the general meeting on December 6th in Frankfurt/Main.