German officials say they can handle both refugees and the Olympics

German officials say that welcoming an influx of refugees into their country proves they are the right place to hold the 2024 Summer Games.

Hamburg officially submitted its bid on Wednesday, sending a letter to International Olympic Committee headquarters in Switzerland.

“Especially now, when we see how many people come to Germany because they feel good here and certainly, the Olympics are a sign pointing in the same direction,” Hamburg Mayor Olaf Scholz said at a news conference. “It is not a contradiction. Both can be done, because we have to look ahead because we have hope for a better future and a good co-existence in the world. And that’s the point at the Olympic Games.”

The German government has said it is prepared to accept as many as 800,000 asylum seekers this year, a number equal to 1% of the population.

The Hamburg bid still faces a public referendum in late November.

If voters approve of bidding, the city will join Los Angeles, Paris, Rome and Budapest, Hungary, in the race for 2024.