Since last week the citizens of Hamburg and Kiel have been able to cast their votes on whether the two cities should organize the Summer 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. In Hamburg 1.3 million eligible voters and almost 200,000 voters in Kiel, where the sailing events would be held, will receive their postal voting forms for the referendum this week.
The referendum is scheduled for November 29 and and for the bid to continue a majority of the votes is required in Hamburg and approval by at least 20 per cent of the city’s eligible voters. If successful the German city will go on to compete against Budapest, Los Angeles, Paris and Rome with the winning city being elected September 2017 in Lima, Peru.
A poll revealed last month that 64 per cent of those in Hamburg support the Olympic bid, but winning the actual referendum may be a bigger challenge if enough people don’t make it to the polls.
Nicolas Hill, CEO of Hamburg 2024 said, “the dispatch of the ballot papers has ushered in the critical phase of the referendum.”
“We are optimistic because we have repeatedly gained the impression the confidence in our application among the populace remains high. The Olympic and Paralympic Games offer a fantastic opportunity for the city of Hamburg and for Germany as a whole.”
To mark the start of the referendum, the organizers and lighting artist Michael Batz have designed and inspiration for voters. At Kleiner Grasbrook where the Olympic Village would be built and where athletes from all over the world would be welcomed to the Opening Ceremony, an illuminated sign indicating “HH2024” has been erected as a beacon for local residents and visitors to the city.
Batz said, “the Blue Port is known around the world and shows that Hamburg is an attractive location for art as well. How much more radiant will Hamburg appear in the peaceful glow of the Olympic flame. I hope we all experience inspiring Olympic Games – with art as our guiding light”.
