Olympics 2036 in Germany? Politicians are betting on the sports boom!

Olympics 2036 in Germany? Politicians are betting on the sports boom!

The idea of ​​an Olympic bid for Germany is gaining momentum. Political support for the project has been underway for some time. Following this trend, at the start of the Olympic Games in Paris, the Federal Government expressed its official goodwill towards a German candidacy. But what is really behind this interest?

The word “sport” has become increasingly important in the political landscape, explains media and communications scientist Jörg-Uwe Nieland from the University of Klagenfurt. He sees sport as a crucial “feel-good factor” that is of central importance not only for the public, but also for the image of political actors. “Sport is becoming more and more integrated into political speeches and programs, both locally and at the federal level,” said Nieland.

The political actors and their ambitions

Markus Söder, the Prime Minister of Bavaria, has highlighted the optimism that sport brings. He recently stated: “In addition to migration, economy and education, we want to continue to promote optimism in the country, and sport is crucial for this.” A concrete example is the announcement that the medal bonuses for Bavarian athletes at the Olympic Games will be doubled in order to show support for sport and athletes, as Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann said Deutschlandfunk explained.

In other federal states, a position is also being eagerly taken. North Rhine-Westphalia is planning a temporary Olympic stadium, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is applying for the sailing competitions in Rostock-Warnemünde, and Lower Saxony is proposing various sports venues such as the shooting range in Garlstorf to demonstrate their host quality. The images of the games currently taking place in Paris are apparently a major motivating factor for politicians.

Emotional aspects and public mood

Sport not only inspires enthusiasm, but also plays an important role in the perception of national identity and the creation of a positive self-image. The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) has launched an image campaign that presents memorable moments and heroic deeds by athletes since 1972. According to communication scientist Lutz Hagen from the TU Dresden, such representations are crucial to show that Germany is a strong sporting nation.

Hagen has found in studies that sporting successes, especially victories by the German national football team, can significantly improve the mood of the population. “There is one mechanism that we see as crucial: public sentiment,” he explains.

Although this positive mood often only lasts for a short time, it influences the perception of all kinds of topics, including political ones. Research shows that the general mood in a country can influence the government's rating. A study on the 2013 federal election makes it clear that the success of the local association actually improves voters' opinion of the government. “The government rating is positively influenced if the local football club wins,” says Hagen, describing the situation.

This suggests that the focus is not on the direct successes and responsibility of politicians, but rather on the emotional state of citizens. The influence of sport on the political climate should not be underestimated, even if it is only short-term. “A fundamentally negative mood cannot cover up sporting successes,” warns Jörg-Uwe Nieland.

Politicians' interest in sport shows how closely the two areas are intertwined. Sport is proving to be a valuable tool, especially in these times when politics depends on positive signals. The question remains how sustainable this enthusiasm really is when it comes to specific inquiries about financing and sustainability.