POSTED: March 4th 2011
NewsUpdate
Merkel underlines personal backing for Munich 2018 amid political reshuffle
KEIR RADNEDGE in Munich / Sports Features Communications
MUNICH/LONDON, Mar 03: Munich’s campaign to host the 2018 Winter Olympics moved to the centre of national attention as German Chancellor Angela Merkel took time out after a hasty government reshuffle to back the bid.
Merkel travelled south Thursday evening for an official dinner with the evaluation commission from the International Olympic Committee which has been checking out the Munich bid for the past three days.
Ahead of meeting the commission, she said: "We all - the city, the region and the nation - support the bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Munich and Garmisch-Partenkirchen and I think we have a great chance to plan a winter fairy tale after the summer fairy tale, which was the football World Cup in 2006.
"I believe that since Germany is such a fantastic host, the world can look forward to the Games here in 2018”.
In fact, Merkel's own political priorities had meant a swift change in the bid’s presentation arrangements.
The IOC commission should have been addressed Thursday by Thomas de Maiziere in his role as Interior Minister. However that session had to be switched to Friday following his shift to the role of Defence Minister.
This followed the resignation of Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg following revelations, which had dominated the German news agenda all week, that he had plagiarised sources in his PhD thesis.
No change in approach
Hans-Peter Friedrich is the new Interior Minister but the switch will have no effect on government support for the bid, according to Thomas Bach, the IOC vice-president who is president of the German Olympic sports confederation (DOSB) and chair of the Munich 2018 Shareholders Board.
Bach said: “I am sure that the good cooperation between the DOSB and the Ministry of the Interior, with Hans-Peter Friedrich as its head, will continue.
“The best proof is the fact that he will present to the IOC evaluation commission on Friday to underline the support and guarantees of the Federal Government for Munich’s bid to host the 2018 Winter Games. I am looking forward to the good partnership and collaboration with Hans-Peter Friedrich."
Bach also paid tribute to de Maiziere as “a fantastic partner” for Gderman sport.
He added: “Mr de Maizière has always been a very constructive advocate. Together with him, the DOSB has been able to drive forward many important sports issues. I am sure that his affinity with sport will continue in his new office.
“As Defence Minister, he will be responsible for the funding of sport in Germany’s Armed Forces. I am convinced he will play an important role in the success of those German athletes.”
Keywords · Munich 2018 · Winter Olympics · Merkel · de Maiziere · Friedrich · Bach
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