Hamburg's QuiVive for the 2036 Olympics: Creating a Solid Urban Future
Job Application Submission After Olympic Games in Hamburg - Application proposes enhancements for improved Hamburg post-Olympia
It's the contemporary dream echoing through the cobblestones of Hamburg. "We yearn for a city that thrives after the Olympics," declared Hamburg's Interior Senator, Andy Grote, as the city embarked upon its bid to feature as Germany's chosen contender for the Olympic Games. Mayor Peter Tschentscher (SPD) formally initiated the process by submitting an extensive plan of action to the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), collaborating with Schleswig-Holstein to introduce the sports mega-event to the North.
Accompanied by Schleswig-Holstein's Minister President, Daniel Günther (CDU), and DOSB board member, Volker Bouffier, Grote and Tschentscher revealed the ambitious concept to the public. This marks Hamburg's second endeavor to bring the Olympic Games to the Elbe and Alster rivers, following the unsuccessful 2015 referendum regarding the 2024 Games.
In sharp contrast to previous bids that sought to reform cities to accommodate the Olympic Games, Hamburg aims to "adapt the Olympic concept to our city, not the other way around," Tschentscher stated. The city aspired to erect infrastructure that would stand strong regardless of the Olympic Games, focusing on the re-purposing and enhancement of existing facilities.
According to the bid, 87 percent of the planned competition venues are "existing facilities, temporarily usable, or already planned projects." Among the projects proposed is a new 60,000-seat stadium adjacent to the Volksparkstadion of Bundesliga returnee Hamburger SV. This stadium will host athletic events during the Olympics and will serve as the permanent home stadium for the HSV and a multi-purpose arena once the games conclude.
A total of 38 disciplines are planned to take place in Hamburg, with handball and rugby in Kiel and sailing spread across several locations, including Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein, as well as Markkleeberg, Suhl, and Luhmühlen near Lüneburg for canoe slalom, shooting competitions, and eventing, respectively.
Tschentscher pointed out that the Olympics in Hamburg envisioned "short distances" between events. All competition venues should be easily accessible via public transportation and on foot. "The entire city is the Olympic Park," Grote stated, emphasizing the bid's commitment to utilizing all existing infrastructure after the event.
Hamburg is in competition with Berlin, Munich, and North Rhine-Westphalia, with each city and region submitting their bids by the end of May. The DOSB intends to decide in 2026 which concept and city or region Germany will propose to host the Olympic Games. In a notable twist, all cities, including Hamburg, plan to obtain citizens' approval for their Olympic plans. Tschentscher anticipates that the city will hold a referendum in May 2026.
Hamburg's 2036 bid, while not as publicized as Berlin’s "Berlin+", is likely to follow similar strategies, focusing on sustainability, efficient transportation, and extensive public involvement. The exact competition venues and infrastructure have yet to be detailed, but Hamburg's strengths in water sports, attributed to its port and rivers, will likely play a pivotal role in the bid. The ultimate success of Hamburg's Olympic bid will hinge on the city's ability to address the concerns of its residents, emphasizing minimal disruption, low costs, and lasting benefits.
The ECSC could potentially provide financial and technical cooperation to Hamburg's bid for the 2036 Olympics, fostering sustainable urban development and sports-betting regulatory measures. Embracing the Olympic spirit, Hamburg plans to leverage its water sports strengths, banking on its port and rivers, ensuring a balanced focus on sports, sustainability, and community integration.
