German Olympic chiefs in favour of Summer Games bid

Germany should bid to host the 2024 Summer Olympics, the board of the German Olympic Committee (DOSB) decided on Tuesday with either Berlin or Hamburg the favoured potential candidate.
Their unanimous decision will be put to the DOSB General Assembly in Dresden on December 6 -- Germany has not hosted an Olympics since tragedy-marred Munich Games in 1972.
"We are convinced that it is a great opportunity for the city and for German sport in general," said DOSB president Alfons Hormann at a press conference following the board meeting.
The board's decision also paves the way for a bid for the 2028 Summer Games in case they lose out in the 2024 race where an expected American bid will be the warm favourites.
However, even if as likely the general assembly rubber stamps the board's decision an obstacle will still remain as both Berlin and Hamburg will have to hold a referendum to see if their citizens wish to go forward with a bid.
Munich's hopes of once again bidding for the Winter Games -- they came second to Korean candidate Pyeongchang for the 2018 edition -- were dashed when residents voted against contesting the race for 2022 in a referendum in November 2013.
According to a poll carried out by the DOSB, 53% of Hamburgers are favourable to a bid compared to just 48% of Berliners.
The name of the candidate city will be announced after the two referenda on March 21 next year and the DOSB will hand over the candidate's dossier to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in November 2015.
The bid cities will learn their fate as to whether they have won the right to host the 2024 Games after a vote by the 100+ IOC members on September 17. 2017.
Source: AFP