Shifting Tides: Rostock's Olympic Bid Decision Delayed in City Council
Delay in Rostock's Olympic Bid Decision by OB - Delay in Rostock's Olympic Bid Decision by City Officials
Here's a shocker! Rostock's city council, led by Mayor Eva-Maria Kröger (Left party), has postponed a decision on whether Rostock will bid for the hosting of the Olympic Games in 2036, 2040, or 2044. Kröger lodged an urgent motion in the council, but pulled it back just before the council meeting, pushing the matter to the next council session on July 23.
Kröger explained the sudden move in a letter to council members, stating, "Whether the Rostock council makes its decision on this matter in June or July 2025, the main objective is to send a strong, well-prepared message. However, this message requires thorough and meticulous preparation. There are clearly stated questions that cannot be answered in detail until this meeting."
SPD and the Greens are calling for public referendum
It was previously known that SPD and Greens have jointly proposed a resolution for a public referendum on the matter of the Olympic bid. Moreover, there's an initiative to scrap Rostock's bid for the 2036 Games, as this year marks the 100th anniversary since the Berlin Olympics of 1936, where the Nazis held power.
As of the end of May, four German cities and regions have submitted their bids to the German Olympic Sports Federation (DOSB) for the hosting of the Olympics in 2036, 2040, or 2044. A final decision on the German bid concept is expected by autumn 2026 at the latest. According to the city administration, there's considerable interest in Rostock and Warnemünde among several potential bidders.
Two previous attempts
"The location of Rostock, featuring Warnemünde's sailing territory, is highly suitable for hosting Olympic sailing competitions. Furthermore, multiple other Olympic sports such as football, handball, basketball, and volleyball, along with Goalball, can be offered in the cityHalle or HanseMesse arenas," reads a passage from the withdrawn resolution.
All previous attempts to bring Olympic competitions to Warnemünde have failed. During Berlin's unsuccessful Olympic bids for 2000 and Leipzig's for 2012, Warnemünde was a strong contender for sailing events.
- Rostock
- Olympic Bid
- City Council
- SPD
- Warnemünde
- Berlin
- The SPD and the Greens are advocating for a public referendum in Rostock, aiming to allow citizens to have a say in the city's Olympic bid decision, which was delayed in the city council.
- Rostock, with Warnemünde as part of its territory, has previously attempted to host Olympic sailing competitions, but all previous attempts have unfortunately been unsuccessful, as seen in Berlin's bids for 2000 and Leipzig's bid for 2012.
