Olympic candidacy: Rauhe: “Positive signals” from the IOC for Munich’s application

Sports Minister of State Ronald Rauhe feels tailwind from IOC boss Kirsty Coventry for Munich's Olympic bid. “She was very grateful that we were continuing the application process with Munich and sees us as a driver for Europe. “Those were very positive signals,” the 45-year-old told “Spiegel” after a conversation with the President of the International Olympic Committee and Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

At a meeting with the IOC leadership in Berlin or Lausanne, Rauhe wants to promote the German candidate even more intensively, together with the German Olympic Sports Confederation and the Bavarian capital. The Olympic canoe champion is also sure of the support of CDU boss Merz. “You can tell that he really wants to bring the games home,” assured Rauhe.

Six rivals for Munich

In a national selection process, the DOSB chose Munich as an applicant for the 2036, 2040 or 2044 Olympics and Paralympics. The IOC most recently named Qatar, India, South Korea, Hungary, Turkey and South Africa as competitors for the 2036 Summer Games. Further applicants for 2036 can enter the race until the end of October, after which the list will be closed.

The IOC is expected to decide in March which of the candidates will advance to the next phase of the process, the so-called “Strategic Dialogue”. In December 2028, the umbrella organization will then select one or more preferred hosts for the “Targeted Dialogue” before the host for 2036 is determined at a general meeting in mid-2029. If Europe does not take part, Munich would compete again in 2040 or 2044.