Olympic Hopeful
October 23, 2007
"We want to get the Olympics to Germany. Not only the city of Munich but the state of Bavaria and the whole German sporting world are behind the effort," Thomas Bach, chief of the German Olympic Committee (DOSB), told the dpa news agency.
Munich mayor Christian Ude said: "The meeting was a complete success," referring to the presentation of the feasibility study on Monday.
The decisive DOSB vote about Munich's bid takes place on December 8 in Hamburg, with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to elect the 2018 Winter Olympics host city in 2011.
Munich hosted the Summer Olympics in 1972 and, if chosen by the IOC, would be the first city to land the winter games as well.
The 1972 Olympics in Munich were marred when members of the Israeli Olympic team were taken hostage by a Palestinian terror organization. By the end of the ordeal, during which the world held as the showdown was broadcast around the globe, the Black September group had murdered 11 Israeli athletes and one German policeman. Five of the eight terrorists were killed during a rescue attempt.
Venues in three areas
Munich plans a compact concept with three cluster areas for events which, according to Bach "meets international requirements."
The ceremonies and ice sports events would take place in Munich and all snow events in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a venue about 80 kilometers (50 miles) away which hosted the 1936 Winter Olympics. Bob-sledding competitions would be held at the existing venue in Königssee in southeast Bavaria.
"No one doubts our concept anymore," Ude told dpa. "It prevailed because only a compact concept has a chance to convince the IOC."
Other traditional Bavarian winter sports venues had initially protested the Munich plans.
German Interior Minister Wolfgang Schäuble's presence at Monday's presentation of the study also reflected the government's support of the concept.
"The Olympic bid offers an outstanding chance to present German sports on the international stage and reinforce the image of Germany as a modern country," Schäuble said.
Bach, who is also on the IOC executive board, said "the DOSB welcomes the support from the government and the state of Bavaria." He also said that Munich organizers are prepared for the bid.
Investments needed
Munich spent some 600,000 euros ($858,000 dollars) on the feasibility study for the 2018 games.
Actual bid costs are estimated at 30 million euros. German companies are expected to help cover expenses. Should Munich's bid be confirmed, billions would have to be invested in infrastructure -- including transportation routes -- and competition venues. A new ice sports arena would be built at Munich's Olympiapark, as well as a temporary speed-skating stadium.
Pyongchang, South Korea (narrow losers for 2010 and 2014), Almaty, Kazakhstan and Annecy, France are reportedly some other cities pondering 2018 bids.
The 2010 Winter Olympics are to be held in Vancouver, Canada and the 2014 games in Sochi, Russia.