Not too expensive: German finance minister wants Olympics

German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil has said that money should not stand in the way of bringing the Olympic Games back to the country.

"We can afford Olympic Games and we should afford Olympic Games. They make our country stronger and better," Klingbeil told the Bild am Sonntag paper.

Social Democrat Klingbeil referred to the success of the 2006 football World Cup in Germany and also to the 2024 Olympics in Paris which took place amid big enthusiasm.

"I am convinced that big sporting events like these make our country stronger and are wonderful occasions that benefit our country and ultimately also offer Germany an opportunity to present itself in a positive light," he said.

Germany is planning a bid for the 2036, 20240 or 2044 Olympics, with Munich, Hamburg, Berlin and the Rhine-Ruhr area aiming to be selected as bidder. A decision is set for September.

Klingbeil said the presence of four candidates "shows how important the Olympic Games are considered to be in Germany."

The eventual bid for the Games and the potential hosting will have financial support from the government, said Klingbeil, who plans to visit the Milan/Cortina Winter Games which have started.

"Of course the whole country will profit. Regardless of where the Games will then be: It will also set the whole country in motion," Klingbeil said.

Germany hosted summer Games 1936 in Berlin and 1972 in Munich. Garmisch-Partenkirchen staged the 1936 Winter Olympics.

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