The General Assembly of Stakeholders for Munich 2018 met Friday and agreed on some key steps in its bid for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games.
According to a press release the Munich 2018 stakeholders are to build on the experiences from the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games and will establish a Munich 2018 Paralympic Commission.
Siegfried Schneider, State Minister of Bavaria 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”.
Meanwhile Christian Ude, Lord Mayor of Munich, said following the meeting, “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”.
A new survey conducted by independent research company GfK shows that 65 per cent of residents of Garmish-Partenkirchen, where the Alpine events will be held, fully support the bid. It is reportedly the highest figure yet and shows a steady growth in support. In Upper Bavaria the support is 70 per cent with 11 per cent opposing the bid.
Munich 2018 CEO Willy Bogner 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 will be opening an office May 18 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Oberammergau to inform the public on the bid and its progress, as well as respond to any inquiries and listen to ideas from local residents.
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 Munich 2018 stakeholders agreed to Munich 2018’s plans for a major public support campaign called “PrOlympia” which includes a series of different TV spots and print ads in the German media featuring ambassadors, board members, stakeholders and young athletes in the famous Munich 2018 hot air balloon.
