Overview
- Voters in Düsseldorf approved a citizens’ referendum supporting a regional KölnRheinRuhr bid for future Summer Games, with 67.24% voting yes on a 33.7% turnout.
- In Berlin, the NOlympia coalition began a signature drive to stop the capital from applying to host the Olympics or Paralympics in 2036, 2040 or 2044.
- The Berlin campaign seeks a two‑stage Volksbegehren, a citizen initiative that first needs about 20,000 valid signatures by October 18 and then roughly 180,000 to force a citywide vote.
- The Berlin process can only proceed if the German Olympic Sports Confederation selects Berlin as the national candidate at its extraordinary members’ meeting scheduled for September 26.
- Opponents cite city debt and crumbling sports facilities, while Berlin’s Olympic commissioner argues a bid would bring about €3 billion in outside funding and long‑term upgrades; recent polls have also differed sharply on Berliners’ support.