KMK Press Release
June 11, 2026
Conference of Ministers of Education adopts Olympic Declaration
BMK supports Germany's bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games
The Conference of Ministers of Education (KMK) adopted a joint declaration in support of a German bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games during its 8th meeting in Munich. With this, the federal states jointly reaffirm the great importance of sports, play, and movement in the school context and emphasize the enormous educational potential as well as the societal impact of hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Germany.
Anna Stolz, President of the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs and Bavarian Minister of Education: "Within the community of federal states, we agree that possible Olympic and Paralympic Games in Germany represent a great opportunity not only for the children and youth of today but for all of us – for a unified society, for a clear commitment to sport and physical activity, and for a stronger mindset of a positive performance culture. Sports in particular convey values for life such as team spirit, fairness, perseverance, and also the experience that effort pays off. That is exactly why sport is such an important part of school education, personality development, and a key focus of my presidency this year."
Christine Streichert-Clivot, coordinator for the A-states of the Conference of Ministers of Education and Minister for Education and Culture of Saarland: “The Olympic and Paralympic Games can inspire people, bring them together, and have an impact far beyond sports. They stand for fairness, respect, diversity, and trust in the abilities of every individual. The power of these values will be evident next week at the Special Olympics in Saarland. Thousands of athletes, volunteers, and guests will demonstrate there how sports promote inclusion, foster community, and bring people together. The Special Olympics thus highlight the potential that major sporting events can unfold for our society. At the same time, they can motivate young people to become active in sports themselves, pursue their own goals, and perhaps one day represent Germany in international competitions. Hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Germany would be an opportunity to carry this enthusiasm forward and send a strong signal for unity and an open society in which everyone belongs.”
Dorothee Feller, Coordinator for Federal States of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Minister of School and Education of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia: "The Olympic and Paralympic Games are something very special. They create unforgettable shared experiences and unite an entire country. I wish for all of us that we can experience this unique atmosphere together in Germany. Sports are fun, foster community, and convey important values such as fairness, respect, team spirit, and perseverance. They also show young people that performance, dedication, and pursuing their own goals are positive things. Olympic Games in Germany would be something we could all truly look forward to together."
In addition to recognizing the outstanding commitment of all applicant cities and regions in developing excellent internationally convincing and competitive concepts, the declaration highlights the central role of sport, play, and movement in the school context as well as the diverse measures related to this issue across all federal states. Sport, play, and movement make important contributions to health promotion, personality development, and social cohesion. At the same time, the BMK emphasizes the great opportunity to create sustainable impulses for sport, education, and society as a whole in Germany through hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games, thereby making a significant contribution to keeping Germany fit for the future across generations.
The full Olympic declaration of the Conference of Ministers of Education will be published afterwards.
