On Thursday, November 7, 2024, the TUM Campus in Olympiapark was all about the future of German sports and sports policy. At the invitation of the Bavarian State Ministry of the Interior, for Sport and Integration, the evening ceremony of the 50th Sports Ministers' Conference (SMK) took place – a significant anniversary and a central meeting point in the heart of the former Olympic grounds for key sports decision-makers from all over Germany.

From early 2023 through the end of 2024, the Free State of Bavaria held the rotating chairmanship of the conference, acting as this fall's host. The SMK brings together the sports ministers and sports senators of the federal states to coordinate and further develop key issues in sports promotion in Germany.

The Bavarian Minister of the Interior and current SMK Chair, Joachim Herrmann, welcomed guests at the TUM Campus in Olympiapark: “I am delighted that we are investing in sports and health sciences and leveraging technological advances to move these disciplines forward. We are on the right path to creating opportunities for people to engage in sports and fostering awareness of the importance of health.” The minister concluded by wishing the approximately 100 invited guests “that they take away fond memories of TU Munich, the wonderful location at the TUM Campus in Olympiapark, and the capital city of Bavaria.”

TUM President Prof. Dr. Thomas F. Hofmann emphasized the importance of the conference: “Hosting the 50th Sports Ministers' Conference here at the Technical University of Munich is a great honor. TUM is a pioneer in fostering a healthy and active society, and we see it as our responsibility to develop innovative approaches in elite sports, as well as in prevention and health promotion. Given the demographic changes and the growing importance of preventive health, these are major societal challenges for which we are creating sustainable solutions.”

Dean of the TUM School of Medicine and Health, Prof. Dr. Stephanie Combs, added: “Physical activity can improve patients' lives. This is a key pillar of our TUM School of Medicine and Health. Sport and exercise as ‘medicine’ — this is the message we want to bring to the community here on campus.”

At the start of the evening program, the invited guests were given a tour of the campus, which opened in 2022. Managing Director of the TUM School of Medicine and Health, Dr. Till Lorenzen, highlighted the unique features of one of Europe’s most advanced campuses for sports and health sciences to the ministers. “The TUM Campus in Olympiapark is an outstanding location,” Lorenzen explained. “When we received the inquiry from the Ministry of the Interior to host this event, we were, of course, more than happy to comply. The ministers were impressed by the size and capabilities of the new building complex, nestled within the wonderful charm of Olympiapark.” Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser was also impressed by the new campus and its sports facilities: “I am thrilled by the fantastic sports campus and the genuine inclusion practiced here. The combination of sports and health sciences, along with medicine, is outstanding — not only for general health prevention but also to support competitive sports and train educators to instill a love of sports and physical activity in children.”

The evening event focused on a panel discussion on the topic, “The Importance of the Unique Link Between Sports, Health, Education, and Science at the TUM Campus in Olympiapark.” Participants included Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann, TUM President Prof. Dr. Thomas F. Hofmann, Dean of the TUM School of Medicine and Health Prof. Dr. Stephanie E. Combs, Prof. Dr. Karsten Köhler, Head of the Assistant Professorship of Exercise, Nutrition and Health, Bavarian Sports Ambassador Anna Kaiser (née Schaffelhuber), and President of the Bavarian Sports Association Jörg Ammon.

This year's conference agenda also included a review of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, a potential Olympic bid by Germany, and topics such as support for elite and high-performance sports, the sports development plan, and the promotion of football fan projects.

Department Head Prof. Dr. Joachim Hermsdörfer underscored the significance of such an event: “Together with the Bavarian State Government, TUM has created one of Europe’s most modern sports campuses here at the TUM Campus in Olympiapark. This benefits the Department of Health and Sport Sciences with optimal conditions for research and teaching in sports and health sciences, and Munich students also benefit in university sports. We are excited to showcase our unique infrastructure to all German ministers responsible for sports and to share the inspiration we draw from it. We hope this will provide momentum for sports and health sciences and similar projects throughout the country.”

The SMK, which has taken place at least once a year since its inception in 1977, is an essential body for coordinating sports promotion in Germany. It ensures that the funding measures of the federal states are aligned and optimized. Additionally, it represents the sports-political interests of the states at both national and international levels.

To the video contribution of the 50th Sports Ministers' Conference

Contact:

Dean’s Office
TUM School of Medicine and Health
Department Health and Sport Sciences
Georg-Brauchle-Ring 60/62
80992 Munich

Phone +49 89 289 24601
Email: deans.office(at)mh.tum.de

Text: Jasmin Schol/Bastian Daneyko
Photos: Bavarian Ministry of the Interior/Alexandra Beier/Jasmin Schol