The Economic and Social Added Value of Hosting the Games in Germany
Frankfurt, 05 September 2023 – The Olympic and Paralympic Games have a significant economic impact on their host countries. In addition to the value added in economic terms, the Games also have an impact on a social level as they promote integration, inclusion, and cohesion within society.
YOUR JOB. YOUR INVESTMENT. YOUR GAMES.
What industries stand to benefit from the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and how is that reflected in terms of economic development? What opportunities can the German economy capitalize on?
Those questions, as well as others, will be discussed with the guests of our fifth panel at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, 5 September live on deine-spiele.de. The talk will feature four economic experts, all of whom will share their respective points of view.
Guests will include:
- Markus Luthe – Managing Director, Hotelverband Deutschland (Hotel Association of Germany)
- Thomas Pennartz – Managing Director, Rheinischer Sparkassen- und Giroverband (Rhineland Savings Banks and Giro Association)
- Prof. Dr. Holger Preuß – Sports Economist, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
- Claudia Wagner – Managing Director, Deutsche Sport Marketing GmbH
According to Prof. Dr. Preuß: “If things are planned responsibly and the right city/region is chosen, the Olympic and Paralympic Games can also prove to be somewhat of an economic dream.” Claudia Wagner, Managing Director of Deutsche Sport Marketing GmbH, is also convinced: “The Olympic and Paralympic Games can help us, in cooperation with our business partners, to make a lasting contribution to social change – both ecological as well as social, from urban infrastructure to inclusion.”
YOUR IDEALS. YOUR VALUES. YOUR GAMES.
How should the Olympic and Paralympic Games be designed in order to ensure that everyone is involved – in the run-up to, during, and after the Games? Is “taking responsibility” for social problems and finding solutions for them the duty of the sports world? When it comes to sports, where are the limits?
Those topics, as well as others, will be addressed by our panel of experts during our talk on social sustainability at 7:00 PM on Thursday, 7 September.
Guests will include:
- Verena Bentele – Vice President, DOSB and Paralympics Champion
- Friedhelm Julius Beucher – President of the German Disabled Sports Association and National Paralympic Committee
- Thomas Hitzlsperger – former national Football Player, Ambassador of the “Soccer for Diversity, Soccer against Homophobia” initiative
- Christina Marx – Head of Education & Communication, Aktion Mensch
For Christina Marx, the Head of Education & Communication at Aktion Mensch, it all boils down to one thing: “The momentum generated by a bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Games must be used to promote inclusion in sports and to transform structures from the very first moment.” Verena Bentele, Vice President of the German Olympic Sports Federation (DOSB), emphasized that sports are a driving force for respectful coexistence, for inclusion, and for putting integration into practice.

