The German Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND), a non-governmental organization, has spoken against a potential German bid to host the Olympics between 2036 and 2044, reported dpa.
The consequences for people, nature, climate, urban development, the housing market, transport and other areas would be largely negative, the BUND regional associations in Berlin, Hamburg, Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia said in a joint statement on Friday.
Berlin, Munich, Hamburg and the Rhine-Ruhr region are in the race to become Germany's Olympic host, but the BUND said that the sustainability concepts of all four applicants were not convincing.
The BUND also fears that the strained municipal financial situation will worsen. The Olympic Games would generally exceed their budgets by 200% to 300% and the result would be cost-cutting measures, for example in climate protection.
"The reality is that the Games would make Munich even more crowded, more expensive and more covered in asphalt," Martin Geilhufe, BUND's regional representative in Bavaria, warned.
Sabine Sommer, chairwoman of BUND Hamburg, criticized the considerable ecological and social risks of the Hamburg Olympic concept, while Berlin BUND state director Gabi Jung emphasized: "Berlin has long been unable to keep its infrastructure in good condition."
She added: "In a situation like this, hosting major events such as the Olympic Games is the last thing the city needs."
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
