(N)Olympia in Germany? An analysis of the referendum against Munich 2022

The IOC and Olympic bids from democracies and authoritarian regimes – A socioeconomic analysis and strategic insights

“…Theoretically, it could also be possible to hold multiple referenda on a single bid. brand image this generates in democratic countries (Könecke et al, 2016). These effects became obvious when the IOC was left with two authoritarian states as only potential hosts of the Winter Olympic Games in 2022.…”

“…Like it has been observed in a sport sponsorship context, this caused "intangible costs [due to] an erosion of public goodwill because of the [transaction partners'] image" (Sam et al, 2005, p. 9). In this regard, it has to be taken into account that even beforehand, the IOC had been closely associated with authoritarian states, which seemingly was one reason for the failed referendum in Munich (Könecke et al, 2016). This means that the "perceived loss of autonomy for the sport organisation" (Sam et al, 2005, p. 9) and proximity to authoritarian governments was aggravated by the development of the bidding process.…”

“…The withdrawals of Zaragoza and Barcelona occurred because of political concerns (Mackay, 2013;Marca.com, 2011). In Munich and Graubünden failed referenda ended the cities' bidding efforts (Könecke, Schubert, & Preuß, 2016). Thus, the originally very satisfactory number of ten potential hosts had already been reduced to six before the application phase really got going (Figure 1).…”

“…In Vienna (Austria) an overwhelming 72 percent of the participants voted against bidding for the Games in 2028 (Crook, 2013; Magistrat der Stadt Wien, 2013) and voters in Hamburg (Germany) declined bidding for the 2024-Games by 52 percent. This even though Germany's NOC had supported Hamburg's bidding ambition over those of Berlin because prior surveys in both cities had shown a higher support in Hamburg (Könecke et al, 2016). Boston withdrew from the bidding race for 2024 because of political concerns and was replaced by Los Angeles as potential US-American host (Dampf, 2016).…”

Intangible Effekte von Sportgroßveranstaltungen aus Sicht von Athlet/innen am Beispiel der Olympischen Jugendspiele 2010 und 2012

“…Es hat sich jedoch große Skepsis über die von Politiker/innen so häufig genannten positiven Effekte von Sportgroßveranstaltungen verbreitet (Kaiser 2016), wie aus den negativen Volksbefragungen zur Bewerbung von Olympischen Spielen (z. B. München 2022, Hamburg 2024) hervorgeht (Könecke et al 2016). Der so oft verwendete Begriff "legacy" (das Erbe einer Veranstaltung) wird missverständlich gebraucht (Preuss 2015), und die Messbarkeit von Wirkungen (z.…”