Berlin withdraws from race to be Germany’s Olympic bidder

Berlin has withdrawn from the race to be Germany’s bidder for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the city’s government said on Thursday.

The decision comes two days before the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) meets to choose Germany’s candidate to bid for the Olympics in 2036, 2040 or 2044. Only Munich and the Rhine-Ruhr region now remain in contention and the preferred bid will face stiff competition across the globe.

Berlin’s chances were seen as slim after the Left party came top in Sunday’s regional election in the German capital.

The Left’s Elif Eralp, who is poised to become the city’s next mayor, said she has “made it very clear” that she considers the Olympic bid “a waste of taxpayer money.”

Berlin was also behind Munich and the Cologne-based Rhine-Ruhr campaign after DOSB officials evaluated the rival bids on Tuesday ahead of Saturday’s vote.

Munich received 87 out of 100 points and Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr 85, with both rated “very good.” Berlin scored 74.6 points, earning a “good” rating.