A selection of 1,500 inhabitants in each city were asked about the respective bid by telephone, following on from a survey asking similar questions last September.

Since then, support has risen and opposition has declined - with only 53 per cent in Hamburg and 48 per cent in Berlin then acknowledging support - a good sign for the German authorities ahead of a decision being made between the two later this month.

"We are delighted with the huge acceptance of Olympic and Paralympic Games, and especially the fact that there were increases in the specific questions candidates in both cities," said DOSB President Alfons Hörmann.

"We are delighted with the huge acceptance of Olympic and Paralympic Games, and especially the fact that there were increases in the specific question candidates in both cities. 

"We have felt locally, that the climate of opinion has developed positively. 

"Now we have a good basis for further decision-making process."

Alfons Hormann and his DOSB colleagues now have a week to analyse the survey and select between the two cities ©AFP/Getty Images



The DOSB are now expected to declare their choice on Monday (March 16) before the decision is confirmed by the membership on March 21.

If successful, it has already been announced that a referendum will be held in Berlin before the bid will be officially launched, so the DOSB will be especially keen to study the survey results and calculate the likely support for each, before making their choice.

A referendum could also take place in Hamburg, the city that must surely now be seen as the favourite to be selected.