Hamburg 2024 – a Vision for the Olympic and Paralympic Games
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Hamburg 2024 – A vision for the Olympic and Paralympic Games FeuerWe are und fired Flamme up für forSpiele the in Games Hamburg GERMANY APPLIES FOR HOSTING THE OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES WITH HAMBURG AS THE HOST CITY The General Assembly of the German biggest, most intense and most thrilling Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) sporting event. The City of Hamburg envis- and its 410 delegates have unanimously ions games in the heart of a cosmopolitan chosen Hamburg as Germany’s applicant metropolis that will enable Germany to city for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic present itself internationally as a colour- Games. ful and diverse country. “The Olympic and Paralympic Games amidst an open The 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Bava- society are also a signal for the Olympic ria, showcased Germany as a democra tic, movement,” says Olaf Scholz, adding: “It liberal and modern country in front of an shouldn’t be the case that all of us are international audience and laid the founda- thrilled to watch the Olympic Games on tion for Bavaria’s international reputation. television but shy away from organising More than half a century will elapse in the them in our own country. We can indeed meantime if Hamburg is to host the 2024 take this on.” Olympic and Paralympic Games with the unanimous support of Germany’s sports “We are united by the desire for the Olym- sector. Olaf Scholz, the First Mayor of pic idea as a unifying bond within a vulner- the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, able world,” said DOSB president Alfons stresses that even at this stage Hamburg is Hörmann. “In short: we are united by the looking forward to “serving as the gateway desire for the Olympics!” Hamburg and the for the world”. Hamburg Metropolitan Region with more than fi ve million inhabitants are all set for Hamburg’s application is an application becoming this destination of desire – for on behalf of Germany for the world’s guests and athletes from around the globe. 2 / 3 HAMBURG – THE BEAUTIFUL WATER- SIDE METROPOLIS The Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg is landscape and high quality of life on the the oldest existing independent city state water attracted twelve million tourists in Europe. Today, the city state of Ham- in 2014 alone. This record number now burg is one of the 16 federal states of the makes Hamburg one of the top ten Europ- Federal Republic of Germany. Hamburg is ean city destinations, and this positive located in the north of Germany about 100 trend is ongoing. kilometres from the Elbe estuary and the North Sea. The city of Hamburg has 1.8 Hamburg provides excellent transport million inhabitants and is the second larg- links. Some 60 airlines connect Hamburg est city in Germany and one of the main Airport with about 115 national and inter- economic growth centres in Europe. With national airports via non-stop fl ights. The a total of fi ve million inhabitants, the Ham- German capital of Berlin can be reached burg Metropolitan Region is one of the by train within 100 minutes, and the Dan- most productive and prosperous regions in ish capital of Copenhagen is only 300 kilo- Europe. Due to its long history as a port metres away by road. and trading city, Hamburg maintains rela- tions across the globe and also serves as the foreign trading hub for Northern and Eastern Europe – especially in trade with Port and trade at the China. In addition to the city’s fl ourishing heart of a dynamic trade and booming logistics industry, Ham- burg is Germany’s media capital and the economy world’s third largest centre for civil avi- ation. In recent years, Hamburg has also Hamburg’s port is one of the biggest con- become the centre of the European wind tainer ports in the world and is an impor- energy sector. tant engine for growth. With its central location at the interface of global trade Hamburg is considered to be the greenest fl ows, the Hamburg Metropolitan Region of Europe’s metropolitan regions. One-fi fth with the port of Hamburg has a cen- of the city’s surface is made up of water, turies-long tradition of overseas trade. and Hamburg, the “European Green Capi- Thanks to its locational and infrastructural tal 2011”, is also one of the most environ- advantages the region has also evolved mentally friendly and sustainable cities as Northern Europe’s main logistics hub. worldwide. Pioneering urban development Ongoing globalisation and the opening projects such as the HafenCity Hamburg of Eastern Europe have now transformed district in addition to the city’s rich cultural the Hamburg Metropolitan Region into 4 / 5 the core region for Northern and Eastern set and reduce the environmental impact Europ ean logistics. From here, national of intense port operations and industry, and international companies coordinate thereby demonstrating that ambitious en- their global supply networks. vironmental goals and economic growth can go hand in hand. This includes sustain- A fresh breeze, ample green spaces and able urban development that is based on a sweeping view of the water – no other climate protection, resource effi ciency, re- German city combines abundant stretches newable energy and a smart public trans- of water and green areas with a strong port system. Sustainability and climate economy that continues to secure em- protection do not only increase quality of ployment and offers excellent economic life in the city, but also generate positive prospects. It is thus hardly surprising that effects on the regional economy. Hamburg repeatedly scores top positions in international city rankings on quality of The world is at home in Hamburg. Com- life. From an early stage, the Hanseatic merce and shipping have contributed to City of Hamburg made an effort to off- the city’s cosmopolitan fl air for centuries. With around 100 consulates, Hamburg is to support their sporting idols during any one of the most international cities in Ger- event – in the stadium, in one of the sports many and fosters strong ties around the arenas, parks, at the boxing ring or on the globe. Numerous companies have chosen golf course, or in Hamburg’s city zone, Hamburg as a location for their global or which is ideally suited for sporting events. European headquarters and appreciate the Every year, hundreds of thousands of visit- city’s cosmopolitan flair. More than 35,000 ors come to Hamburg to join one of the trading companies with over 125,000 em- city’s sporting events. In addition to many ployees make Hamburg Germany’s leading small events throughout the year, Ham- foreign trade centre. Ten of Germany’s 100 burg hosts several high-profile events, highest-turnover companies outside the among them the ITU World Triathlon Ham- financial sector have their head offices in burg, the Haspa Marathon, the Vattenfall Hamburg. As well as offering an attractive Cyclassics bicycle race, the German Jump- business environment, the city also pro- ing and Dressage Derby in Klein Flottbek vides safety and a high quality of life. and the German Derby in Hamburg-Horn, as well as the German Open Tennis Cham- pionships in Rotherbaum. Other high- lights include the Curling World Cup and A city of sports the Hansewerk AlsterCup, a swimming Hamburg is a city of sports, and Ham- and rowing competition. It is worthwhile burg’s locals are avid sports fans and love noting that many of these events, among 6 / 7 them the marathon, the triathlon and the Cyclassics bicycle race, actually take place Hamburg – a cultural in the heart of the city and on the streets and media hub and squares around the Inner Alster Lake – a unique setting for an unforgettable Students, artists, fashion designers and sporting event with an enthusiastic audi- media professionals are drawn to Ham- ence. This enthusiasm was also evident burg. A diverse media landscape and the here in 2012 when more than 30,000 spec- city’s leading role in the print media sector tators celebrated the return of the German have made Hamburg a media capital. Ger- Olympic team from London. many’s three biggest weekly magazines are produced in Hamburg, and so is the These sporting events and the enthusiasm main daily news show on national tele- generated by them contribute greatly to vision. the city’s quality of life, its attractiveness and its development. In order to retain and The city’s vibrant high and subculture foster this attractiveness, the Hamburg scenes offer a stimulating environment Senate, the state government, has adopt- and ideal conditions for all those who are ed its ten-year strategy “Hamburg macht professionally involved in culture. Offering Sport” – an initiative that is unparalleled outstanding theatre, classical music and in Germany and beyond. The initiative ballet productions, musicals of Broadway aims to promote sports in Hamburg across standards, and a young, authentic music all levels in the coming years, from popular scene in the countless pubs and clubs of sports to professional sports. The concept the St Pauli district, this north German is based on the belief that all of Hamburg’s capital pulses with life 24 hours a day. residents should have the opportunity to With the opening of the spectacular Elb- exercise and be active. To achieve this, philharmonie concert hall in 2017, Ham- Hamburg offers various training grounds burg will add another great landmark to its and sports programmes and continues to cultural landscape. expand these even further. OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES IN GERMANY – MAKING A DREAM COME TRUE The Olympic and Paralympic Games in stands for economic strength and success, one’s own country and even in one’s own and for the common will to make a big home town – this is a dream that is dreamt dream come true.