NOlympia successful: 19,423 signatures for a balanced opinion in the election documents for the Olympic referendum

The NOlympia initiative today 19.423 Handing over signatures to the Land Returning Officer – almost twice as much as would have been required. The initiative thus ensures that an Olympic-critical opinion is attached to the electoral documents for the Citizenship Referendum on the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Hamburg.

Clara Ihring, spokeswoman for NOlympia Hamburg:

‘We are overwhelmed by how many people have collected signatures at minus degrees in the past three weeks. We are grateful for the many conversations on the street. In it it became clear: Many people do not want billions to be spent on a mega-project that flushes money into the coffers less, while the majority of Hamburgers suffer from the consequences. Hamburg spends many millions on the current application alone, but saves in other places: We live in a city with dilapidated schools and gyms, social institutions are struggling to survive, the universities are underfunded. This contrast makes many hamburgers angry. Olympia doesn't bring the hamburgers together. Olympia is dividing the city.“

Historically, the 2015 Citizenship Referendum was created. After consultation in the Constitutional and District Committee, which was entitled ‘Self-referencing implementing law for the Olympic referendum’, the 2015 Citizenship referendum was inserted and applied in the referendum law after a previous constitutional amendment. With regard to the rights of articulation, it was stated that:

‘Since the Senate itself is entitled to propose a referendum, it may also have its own opinion on the subject matter of the vote and on possible counter-submissions; he/she may also promote his/her position while respecting the principle of objectivity.” (Drs. 21/600, p.9)
The Hamburgers decided against the Olympic bid.
On 31 May 2026 This is the second time the referendum has been held. Then as now, the DOSB checks whether the population is behind the application. In contrast to 2015, Hamburg has competitors and Munich already voted for an application in October 2025.

Eckart Maudrich, spokesperson for NOlympia Hamburg:

“Hamburg is not Munich. The Munich citizens were shamefully not given the opportunity to provide balanced information in their election documents. Legally, this is different in Hamburg: 19,423 Hamburgers, almost twice as many as required by law, have voted for a more balanced opinion and thus for the publication of our critical opinion in their election documents. We were particularly impressed when collecting the Hamburg Olympic champions, who gave us their signature out of exactly this democratic conviction. The fact that we are no longer allowed to change our opinion by law from the submission on 15 January, while the Senate and the citizenry are allowed to do so until shortly before the publication deadline in April, causes us democratic disturbing feelings; This is mainly due to the fact that the Senate only wants to publish its financing concept and further details in mid-March. In addition, the Senate plans to draw 1000 times our donations into the attention struggle. This can be found democratically. We find it Olympic – not fair play.”