Residents of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, young and old, Olympians and unsung heroes, today made an impassioned appeal to the Olympic Movement on behalf of Munich 2018: our last Winter Games was almost 80 years ago; now is the time to bring the ultimate celebration of winter sport back to Germany.
Germany may be among the most successful winter sports nations in history, but by 2018 it will have been over 80 years since it staged a Winter Games. That means 10 generations of world-class winter sports athletes from across the globe have gone their entire careers without experiencing the operational excellence, the state-of-the-art facilities and the electrifying atmosphere that a Winter Games in Germany promises. Munich 2018, Germany’s fourth Olympic bid in recent years, will realise a dream shared not just by the people of Munich, Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Lake Königssee, but by athletes the world over who all agree that competing in Bavaria is an experience unlike any other.
Christian Neureuther, Munich 2018 ambassador, three-time Olympian and lifelong resident of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, emphasised the unique prospect on offer for athletes in his home town:
‘I competed so many times on these slopes - my home ground - and I will never forget that atmosphere. The cheering, the songs, the cowbells... just incredible. And I was lucky enough to compete at three Winter Games, in '72, '76 and '80. But I never had the chance to mix that buzz of Garmisch-Partenkirchen with that special magic of the Olympic Games. In fact, now 10 generations of athletes haven't had that chance. I really hope we get the opportunity to put that right at Munich 2018 and create an unforgettable moment of Winter Games history.’
Felix Neureuther, the son of Christian and also a Munich 2018 ambassador and Olympian, added:
‘I competed at the FIS World Championships in Garmisch-Partenkirchen this year and you could just feel how much it meant to the town, and to Bavaria and Germany. As an athlete, it was a fantastic experience - the facilities, the set-up, the volunteers, all perfect. For me, that makes it all the more amazing that it's been 80 years since we had a Winter Games in Germany. I really hope I can compete in front of my home crowd at Munich 2018.’
It is not just established sports stars who are firmly behind Munich 2018. Residents of every generation long to see the Winter Games in Bavaria. 95-year-old Ingeborge Wörndle was a Stadium Speaker at Germany’s last Winter Games, nearly 80 years ago:
‘I have one more wish in my life: to see the Games coming back to Germany. 102 is not too old... I will be there!’
Monica Hübner is a 21-year-old alpine skier with a promising career ahead of her. She said:
‘It would be a dream come true seeing the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games being held in my home town. I have been dreaming of that moment ever since I first saw the Games on TV in 1998. Even if I don’t participate as an athlete, it would still be a dream come true.’
Heinz Mohr, the Head of Olympic training facilities in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, commented:
‘The Olympic Games are the greatest celebration of sport in the world; hosting this unique event would be such an honour. In Garmisch-Partenkirchen, I know all the athletes would have the unforgettable experience that every Olympian and Paralympian deserves.’
Local small business owners see the Winter Games as a potential catalyst for much needed economic stimulation in the region. Josef Ostler, a holiday-home proprietor, said:
‘Holding the 2018 Olympics in Garmisch-Partenkirchen would be a real help in continuing the development of the area.’
Georg Fink, CEO of Kreissparkasse bank in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, echoed the sentiment:
‘Being awarded the Games would trigger urgently needed economic investment in our region. For this reason, I support the bid.’
Dieter Ballwanz, the Managing Director and Owner of the Riessersee Hotel Sport & Spa Resort, is an enthusiastic supporter:
‘To be awarded the honour of hosting the Games is the greatest achievement that can happen to a country. I’m totally behind the bid – in Garmisch-Partenkirchen we take pride in carrying responsibility for a national endeavour like this.’
With less than a week before Munich 2018’s final presentation at the 123rd IOC Session in Durban, today’s messages from Garmisch-Partenkirchen have helped to crystallise one of Munich 2018’s core arguments: having been a loyal and committed partner to the Olympic Movement despite not hosting the Winter Games for nearly 80 years, now is the time for Munich 2018.
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