Olympia: „Blamage ersparen“ – So begründet Berlin den Rückzug

Berlin's decision to withdraw its bid for the 2036, 2040, and 2044 Olympic Games, as well as the subsequent decision not to pursue the 2048 bid in 2022, was primarily driven by concerns over political instability and the potential for a "blamage" or embarrassment at the polls. Olympia's chief negotiator, Kaweh Niroomand, stated that the city failed to provide political stability in exchange for the demands of various sports organizations.

The city's governing mayor, Kai Wegner (CDU), announced the withdrawal two days before the Deutsche Olympische Sportbund (DOSB) made its national decision in Baden-Baden. Niroomand added, "We don't want to suffer a humiliation like that. This blameworthy act is one we wish to avoid." The mayor described the day as "sad for Berlin."

With the withdrawal, Munich and the Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr area become the remaining contenders for the Olympic Games. Berlin had initially planned to submit a joint bid with Brandenburg, Saxony, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern under the concept "Berlin+," but the city was considered a fringe competitor before the decision was made. The failure to secure the bid can be attributed to several factors, including the recent loss of the majority in the Berlin Parliament elections, which resulted in the resignation of the coalition government that had pushed for the Olympic bid.

The outgoing mayor, Elif Eralp (Linke), who could potentially become the new mayor, is against the Olympic Games and had already criticized the bid process and its costs.