The news was the highlight of the General Assembly of Stakeholders for Munich's bid where several initiatives were unveiled, including the decision to establish a new  Paralympic Commission. 

Christian Ude, the Lord Mayor of Munich, said: "The land identified for the site of the Munich 2018 Olympic Village has been secured.

"The Federal Republic of Germany, the owner of the site, will release the land to Munich 2018 if Munich is awarded the right to host the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2018"

The stakeholders also agreed to Munich 2018 Bid Committee’s plans for a major public support campaign called "PrOlympia" to help promote its bid which faces rivals Annecy and Pyeongchang.

The campaign will include series of different TV spots and print adverts in the German media featuring ambassadors, board members, stakeholders and young athletes in the Munich 2018 hot air balloon.

Siegfried Schneider, State Minister of Bavaria, revealed that the idea to set-up a new commission to deal with the Paralympics had come as a result of Munich's visit to Vancouver for the Olympics and Paralympics earlier this year.

He said: "This Commission will focus on helping Munich 2018 deliver world-class Paralympic performances by guaranteeing the best ever conditions for Paralympic athletes in 2018."



The General Assembly also heard that a new survey that found that 65 per cent of residents of Garmisch-Partenkirchen – host to the 2018 Alpine events - fully support the bid.

This is the highest figure yet and shows a steady growth in support, Munich 2018 officials claimed.

In Upper Bavaria the support rate is 70 per cent with opposition to the bid 11 per cent.

Willy Bogner, the chief executive of Muncih 2018, said: "The survey shows rising support for Munich 2018 across Bavaria and especially Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

"This means that the Olympic family is assured the friendliest of Bavarian welcomes and the athletes will relish the region’s passion for winter sport, creating a 24/7 celebratory atmosphere."

Munich 2018 is to open an offices in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Oberammergau to inform the public on bid activity and progress as well as respond to any enquiries and listen to any ideas from the local residents.

It is due to be opened on May 18 by Seehofer.

Bogner said: "The new Munich 2018 office will make it possible to listen, evaluate and integrate ideas and suggestions from local residents into our concept." 

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is due to choose the host city for 2018 at its Session in Durban on July 6, 2011.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected] 


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