POSTED: September 6th 2010
NewsUpdate
Health comes first as Bogner steps down from lead role with Munich 2018
KEIR RADNEDGE / Sports Features Communications
LONDON/MUNICH, Sep 06: Willy Bogner is stepping down immediately on health grounds from his role as chief executive officer for Munich's bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympic Games.
Bid chair Katarina Witt will take on greater high-profile responsibilties while Bernhard Schwank, previously joint managing director, steps up into the role of ceo. Bogner, who had hinted last week at an unspecified illness, will remain involved as a member of the select supervisory board.
Thanks for his work thus far were expressed by a full range of sports leaders and regional politicians including German Olympic president Thomas Bach, Bavarian Prime Minister Horst Seehofer as well as the Munich and Garmisch-Partenkirchen mayors Christian Ude and Thomas Schmid.
A joint statement read: "Willy Bogner has given the bid lasting momentum. He has laid the foundations of a winning bid, which we intend to build upon. He will continue to be a source of inspiration for us all."
Explaining his decision, Bogner said: "My condition, unfortunately, is more serious than previously thought. My doctors have strongly recommended against any further long-distance travel. I hope people understand that my health must come first.
'Outstanding opportunity'
"Naturally, I am a passionate advocate of our bid and I will continue to support it in any way I can. We have an outstanding opportunity, and it remains my dream to bring the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games to my hometown in 2018."
Witt, former double Olympic ice skating champion, will take on a more high-profile, prominent role, whilst continuing to represent the bid internationally as she has most recently in Vancouver and Singapore. Schwank takes over as ceo with immediate effect with Jürgen Bühl as director after having been promoted from deputy director.
"Willy has left the bid in great shape," said Witt. "Munich 2018 is well-respected among many of the key figures in world sport though there is still much work to be done."
Munich is competing with Annecy and PyeongChang to win the IOC host rights vote in Durban next July.
Keywords · Munich 2018 · Bogner · Witt · Schwank · Winter Olympics
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