German government backs Munich bid for 2018 winter Games

Nov 3, 2010, 17:33 GMT

Berlin - The German government Wednesday confirmed financial guarantees for Munich's bid to host the 2018 winter Olympic Games.

The cabinet in Berlin agreed to provide financial support if Munich wins the bid. The government will also be a partner in the organizing committee.

'Today's cabinet decision means the federal government has put into effect the recommendation of the German parliament from July 2, 2009 to support and promote the Olympic bid,' said Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere, who is also responsible for the sport portfolio.

The guarantees include financial support for the organization of the Games and the 'application of legal regulations in the fight against doping.'

Should the organizing committee run up a deficit, around a third of the costs will be covered by the state.

The government is set to provide some 500 million euros (700 million dollars) from a financial volume for the Games estimated at 1.3 billion euros but is not contributing to the bid's marketing costs of 33 million euros.

Thomas Bach, president of the German Olympic sports association DOSB, welcomed the cabinet decision which meant 'all levels of government in our country are now fully behind the bid.'

Munich is standing as a candidate for the 2018 Games against Annecy, France and Pyeongchang, South Korea. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will select the 2018 host city on July 6, 2011.

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