German Oympic Committee Praises Winter Olympics Proposal

German Olympic Committee (DOSB) chief Thomas Bach has praised the concept behind Munich's proposed bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympics.

"I rate this a very convincing and compact concept," Bach said. "I am happy that the winter sports federations ratified it unanimously and that the decision was reached quickly."

The German winter sports federations agreed on Friday that a Munich bid would only involve three venues. Under the proposals, the city itself would stage ice events, Garmisch-Partenkirchen would offer snow sports and bobsleigh, while skeleton sledding and luge would take place at Königssee.

Having hosted the Summer Olympics in 1972 and now bidding for the Winter Olympics, Munich is hoping to become the first city to stage both prestigious events. Garmisch-Partenkirchen organized the only Winter Olympics so far in Germany in 1936.

Unique chance
"The German winter sports federations see Munich's bid as a unique chance and support it unanimously," said Alfons Hoermann, president of the German ski federation, after the meeting.

Traditional resorts such as Ruhpolding (biathlon), Inzell (speed skating) and Oberstdorf (nordic ski) were dropped from the concept, with Bach reiterating that "only a compact proposal has a chance."

The final DOSB decision on the Munich bid is set for early December. It has already ruled out a bid for summer games in the near future despite interest from Hamburg and Berlin.

Bavaria's state capital will reportedly have to spend up to 35 million euros ($48 million) if the DOSB approves its bid.

Vancouver is set to host the 2010 winter games and Sochi was last month elected to stage the event in 2014. The 2018 host city will be elected by the International Olympic Committee in four years' time.