Berlin And Hamburg Launch Rival Bids For 2024 Olympics

Berlin and Hamburg will go head to head next month as both cities present their concepts for the 2024 summer Olympic Games. The German Olympic Sports Association will also decide whether to bid for the 2028 summer Games.

Germany's two biggest cities will go head to head next month as both cities present their concepts for the 2024 summer Olympic Games.



The city of Berlin confirmed on Tuesday that it will proceed with a bid to host the Games, pitting Germany's capital against Hamburg, which has also thrown its hat into the ring.



Both cities will unveil their concepts and answer a questionnaire from the German Olympic Sports Association (DOSB) on September 1, before a decision is made on December 6.



"I am confident we will answer those questions well," Berlin mayor Klaus Wowereit said at a press conference on Tuesday.



Following the presentation of the cities' plans, there will be a vote for all citizens in both cities.



"After that there will be a vote for all Berliners to decide. We want the widest possible support in this," Wowereit added.



The DOSB is also yet to decide not only which German city will be put forward for the summer Games in 10 years but also if it will submit a candidate for the 2028 summer Olympics.



Berlin last hosted the Olympics in 1936 during the Nazi-ruled period of the Third Reich.



Bidding for the summer 2024 Games starts next year with a decision due to be made in 2017.



Local support



No other cities have officially announced a bid yet but potential candidates include the US cities of Los Angeles and Boston, as well as Paris and Istanbul.



Having experienced a lack of public support for some of the 2022 winter Games candidates, the International Olympic Committee is keen to ensure future candidates have the utmost support of their local citizens, in order to maintain enthusiasm and a smooth operation of the world's biggest multi-sports event.



The next summer Olympic Games will be held in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and in Tokyo in 2020.



ksb/jr (dpa, Reuters)