The Copenhagen Municipality has allocated 500,000 Danish kroner (74,000 U.S. dollars) to conduct a preliminary study on the feasibility of the city hosting the Olympic Games, national broadcaster DR reported on Monday.
People take part in the Copenhagen Dragon Boat Festival in Copenhagen, Denmark, June 18, 2023. (Committee of Copenhagen dragon boat festival/Handout via Xinhua)
The funds, included in the municipality's 2025 budget agreement, will be used to explore the possibility of Copenhagen hosting the Olympics, with a particular focus on submitting a bid for the Youth Olympic Games.
The initiative is being spearheaded by Mia Nyegaard, Copenhagen's Culture and Leisure Mayor, who envisions a "smallest and most sustainable Olympics ever."
The Olympic Games for 2028 and 2032 have already been awarded to Los Angeles and Brisbane respectively, making 2036 the earliest potential date for Copenhagen to host the event. However, a bid for the Youth Olympics could target 2030.
Nyegaard, who attended the recent Paris Olympics, shared her vision for a Copenhagen-hosted Games, including the possibility of holding archery events in the Nyhavn, creating an Olympic village aboard a cruise ship in Copenhagen Harbor, and constructing a recyclable and temporary Olympic stadium.
"I dream of bringing the Olympics to Copenhagen, not only to inspire people to strive for their best but also to showcase our ability to organize world-class sporting events," Nyegaard said.
At the Paris Olympics, Denmark secured nine medals, including two golds. At the Paralympic Games which concluded on Sunday, Denmark claimed ten medals, including two golds.