Olympic champion Harting against Games in Berlin

The NOlympia alliance, which is against Berlin's bid to host the Olympics, has gained the support of Olympic champion Christoph Harting.

Harting, who won discus throw gold at Rio 2016, sees a "moral dilemma" in view of the sustainability of the past Games.

"We have seen great sports facilities that are now deteriorating. Underground railways were built but are no longer in use. It always comes at the expense of others," he said in a news conference.

Harting also criticized the lack of funding for recreational sports.

"I think the Senate is being hypocritical because it doesn't support recreational sports. The Senate is not addressing basic needs," he said.

Harting would of course love to see the Games in the capital, but "Berlin can't manage it."

The NOlympia alliance aims to collect 20,000 signatures by early 2026 to launch a referendum, for which 174,000 signatures are required.

"There is no concept, no cost estimate. Berlin should do its homework first before the government focuses on a large-scale event," said Klara Schedlich, spokesperson for sports policy for the Green Party.

Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and the Rhine-Ruhr region are all vying to host the Olympic Games in Germany.

The German Olympics body DOSB plans to decide in the third quarter of 2026 which city or region will bid and for which Summer Games. The 2036, 2040 or 2044 Olympics are under consideration.

A possible referendum organized by the government could take place in 2027 at the earliest, therefore only after the DOSB decides on the German candidate for the Games.

Germany hosted summer Games 1936 in Berlin and 1972 in Munich. Several bids since then have failed or were stopped by referendums.