Munich has emerged as Germany’s candidate to host the 2036, 2040 or 2044 Summer Olympics after the German Olympic Committee (DOSB) voted for the Bavarian city on Saturday.
Munich was the last German city to host the Summer Games, staging the event in 1972. It beat Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr in Saturday’s vote after Berlin withdrew from the race two days earlier.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier announced the result at the DOSB general assembly.
“The winner is Munich,” Steinmeier said.
Earlier, Steinmeier said Germany could secure the Games if the country presented a united bid.
“If we go to the starting line as Team Germany, then we have a good chance to become Olympic hosts,” he said.
Why Munich was selected
Munich’s bid includes the Olympic Park built for the 1972 Games. The city also has strong local support for another Olympic Games.
The decision gives Germany a chance to bring the Summer Olympics back to the country for the first time since 1972.
However, Munich could face strong competition, especially if it targets the 2036 Games. More than 10 cities or countries have shown interest in hosting the event.
They include Indonesia, India, South Africa, Santiago in Chile, Doha, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
Los Angeles will host the 2028 Olympics. Brisbane, Australia, will stage the 2032 Games.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has not set a date for its decision on the next host. The IOC has changed its bidding process in recent years.
The process now includes several stages of talks with interested cities and countries. The IOC then selects a preferred candidate for a final vote.
The body usually awards the Games about seven years before the event.
Germany’s Olympic history
Germany last hosted the Summer Olympics in Munich in 1972. The Games were later overshadowed by the hostage crisis involving the Israeli Olympic team.
Eleven Israelis, a German policeman and five Palestinian gunmen died during the standoff at the Olympic village and nearby Fuerstenfeldbruck airfield.
Germany has made several unsuccessful attempts to host the Olympics since then. Many bids failed after local referendums rejected plans over concerns about the size and cost of hosting the Games.
Munich itself previously bid for the 2018 Winter Olympics but finished behind Pyeongchang in South Korea.
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