Bach hopes for Munich 2018 success - praises Beijing (News Feature)

By Andreas Schirmer Dec 29, 2008, 10:17 GMT

   Dusseldorf - Munich stands a good chance to win the 2018 Winter Games in its first bidding attempt, German Olympic supremo Thomas Bach said.

'We bid to win and to stage the Winter Games 2018,' Bach said in an interview with Deutsche Presse-Agentur.

Bach, who turned 55 on Monday, named Munich's bid 'good' and stressed that 'most of the venues are ready.'

Munich (ice events) is bidding together with Garmisch-Partenkirchen (snow events) and Koenigssee (sliding events) in a compact concept.

The International Olympic Committee will elect the host city in 2011.

If the Bavarian capital is successful it would be the first city to host summer and winter Olympics, following the 1972 Games.

'It (the bid) follows in the Olympic tradition from 1972 which up to the terrible attack of Palestinians on the Israel team was remembered for its cheerful atmosphere,' said Bach.

Bach said that successful 2009 world athletics championships in Berlin could help Munich's cause.

'Everyone in German sport is interested in the worlds being a success and that Germany presents itself as a likeable, friendly and well-organized host,' he told dpa.

Looking back, the IOC vice-president Bach hailed the 2008 Olympics in Beijing as 'a great event' with the Chinese hosts offering 'outstanding hospitality' and 'brilliant conditions' for the athletes.

He said that the event helped China open up to the world and raised its environmental consciousness.

Looking a human rights issues such as Tibet and freedom of speech, Bach said that Olympic Games can have a positive effect but 'could not offer solutions for political problems,' especially if politics itself has not solved these issues.

Bach also warned London 2012 not to copy the Beijing Games but to create its own flair.

'My advice to London is to do it differently. It is part of the Olympic fascination that each country brings its own understanding of culture and sports into the organisation,' Bach said.