Before Saturday evening's Bundesliga top-of-the-table match between FC Bayern and Borussia Dortmund, the focus was not just on football: president Herbert Hainer, CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen, Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann, Munich's Third Mayor Verena Dietl, president of the Bavarian State and Sports Association (BLSV) Jörg Amon and German sprint star Gina Lückenkemper took to the pitch at the Allianz Arena together to send a strong signal in support of Munich's bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
‘New role models and dreams – on our doorstep’
“The Olympic and Paralympic Games are a driving force and catalyst for sustainable progress beyond sport: they give our young people new role models and dreams – right on our doorstep,’ emphasised Hainer in a short speech. “This would be the second Olympic Games in Munich and the first Paralympic Games, which not only means exceptional sporting achievements, but also sends an important signal for greater visibility on the issue of inclusion and a vote for accessibility in sports facilities and residential areas. That is why we at FC Bayern support the bid and say, together with Munich: OlympiJa!”
‘Munich has demonstrated once that the city can do it’
Athlete Lückenkemper added on behalf of the other Olympians in attendance: “The fascination of the Olympic Games is rooted in passion, in emotion, in excitement – not just among the athletes but also the crowd. You can sense that in all the people in the host city, in the whole country even. The Olympic Games are something very special and Munich in particular knows how to do it! Even 50 years after 1972, the city has once again demonstrated what it is capable of: that it can do sport, that it can inspire and that it can make sustainable use of its sports facilities. Therefore it’s also a very clear ‘OlympiJa’ from me!”
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