Berlin, Hamburg, München, and Köln/Rhein-Ruhr want to host the Olympics. Who will receive the national approval in September? In NRW, the citizens will vote on the bid in two weeks. In a podcast, ZDF moderator Jan Böhmermann (45) stated, “Köln doesn’t want your crap.” And insulted the mayor as a “f***ing mayor”. In an interview with BILD, Köln’s Mayor Torsten Burmester (63/SPD) responded.
BILD: Why do you actually want the Olympics?
Burmester: “When I took office in November 2025, I had ambitions and goals for the city, including the Olympics. Hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games is not only beneficial for sports in Köln. It is a unique opportunity for the development of our city. The biggest sports event in the world creates jobs and investments, as seen in the Paris Games.”
The opponents of the Olympics have a different opinion. ZDF moderator Jan Böhmermann (45) ranted in a podcast: “Köln doesn’t want your crap.” And called you a “f***ing mayor.”
We tend to always say no in Germany, claiming that we can’t get anything done anyway. Mr. Böhmermann belongs to this ‘No’ faction. We need more people with a positive attitude and a fundamental “Yes.” We can discuss the conditions. I would gladly invite him to a clarifying conversation.
Your competitor München achieved 66.4% approval in their referendum. Can you top that in your vote on April 19?
Yes, because there are significantly more people behind the Köln/Rhein-Ruhr bid than behind the München bid. We involve four million eligible voters in the region, more than any other competitor.
You also know: In the end, the percentages count.
I will be happy if we achieve a majority for the Olympics. I won’t engage in number games.
If, for example, Düsseldorf or another city fails to reach 51%, what happens? Will they be eliminated?
Then they lack legitimacy, and we would have to rethink, change the concept. I assume that we will achieve the majority everywhere. In Köln, around 30% of the 814,141 eligible voters have already voted by postal ballot. A strong interim result.
Bavaria’s Minister President Markus Söder repeatedly claims that München is the best candidate. How do you respond?
Mr. Söder claims that at every opportunity. I take note of it and already invite him to visit the games in Rhein and Ruhr to convince himself that he was mistaken.
Now, a green mayor rules in München. His own city council faction is not fully in favor of the bid. An advantage for Köln?
An interesting constellation has emerged there.
In terms of international appeal, the Olympic cities of Berlin and München overshadow Köln. You cannot compete with that.
Of course, we can compete. Ask the international fans who were our guests during the UEFA European Championship. Did you know that Köln was supposed to host the Games in 1936? The then Mayor Konrad Adenauer submitted the bid to the IOC in 1929. The government of the Weimar Republic decided it should be Berlin. The Nazis then abused the Games.
President Steinmeier has spoken out against the 2036 Olympics in Germany due to the “anniversary” of the Hitler Games. Is he talking nonsense?
That is the President’s opinion; I do not share it. Why? Because in 1972, Germany – 36 years after the 1936 Games – hosted colorful, modern, joyful games that enthralled the world until the attack. Or the 2006 FIFA World Cup final at the Berlin Olympic Stadium, 70 years after the tainted Games. It is correct that Berlin 1936 needs to be placed in a historical context.
Berlin designed the Eiffel Tower as the center of the 2024 Games. Will the Dom be the star of the Olympics in Köln?
The Dom is already a star, the most visited structure in Germany and globally known. But the Dom is a place of worship, so it requires a certain restraint.
BILD has an idea: the Olympic flame on the Dom’s crossing tower.
(LAUGHS) A nice play from BILD and not a proposal from the Mayor – One could imagine the marathon passing by the Dom. But first, it’s about the fundamental decision.
“What if Düsseldorf or another city misses the 51 percent on April 19? Will they be eliminated?”
Berlin’s Mayor Burmester shows his wager: his lucky shoes
“What do you bet on Köln getting the nod?”
“My shoes! I’ve been wearing them since Paris 2024, during the campaign, and now in the race for the Olympics. If we win, I will donate my lucky charms.”
