Germany Favors Olympic Bid Over UEFA Quest

(ATR) German interior minister Thomas de Maiziere says Hamburg’s Olympic bid is more important than the country’s efforts to land the 2024 European Football Championships.

De Maiziere suggested Germany would have no problem staging UEFA’s flagship tournament and the Summer Olympics a few weeks later. The IOC has already indicated it would not object to Germany holding both major events.

"But if I would be forced to say which one is the more important then I would say the Olympic bid," the minister, whose remit covers sport, told German news agency DPA.

Germany is considered favorite to secure Euro 2024, although that bidding competition has yet to get underway in earnest. But the Hanseatic port city faces tough competition to land the Olympics. Budapest, Los Angeles, Paris and Rome are also seeking hosting rights.

UEFA is set to decide on the Euro 2024 host in 2018, about one year after the IOC’s vote on the Summer Olympic host city.

De Maiziere said Hamburg’s chances were "good", saying the city had a strong bid. "We need not be afraid. You can't say that we will only bid if the rivals are weaker," he was quoted as saying.

Hamburg’s first major hurdle is the Nov. 29 referendum on the bid.

De Maiziere is confident city residents will vote in favor of the Olympic ambition. "I hope for big approval," he said.

Hamburg 2024 strengthened its bid last week with the appointment of IOC Athletes’ Commission chair Claudia Bokel as head of the board of trustees for bid.

The 42-year-old Olympic fencing silver medalist will play a key role in driving up public support ahead of the referendum next month.

Reported by Mark Bisson

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