By Duncan Mackay in Munich
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

February 28 - Thomas Bach, the vice-president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has claimed that the row over land rights will not disrupt the Munich's bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.


Munich officials today revealed they are set to resume talks with a land owner unwilling to cede his property for the 2018 Winter Games and that they hoped to reach a solution to the problem within the next few weeks.

The announcement came as the IOC Evaluation Commission prepared to begin its a five-day inspection tour of the Bavarian capital, the last stop on a tour that has already taken in Munich's rivals Annecy and Pyeongchang.

Some farmers in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the planned site of the Alpine skiing events, have refused to give up their land needed for the sports facilities, which has overshadowed Munich's bid.

But German officials now hope a solution is in sight.

"We are in good talks," said Siegfried Schneider, chief of staff of Bavaria's Governor.

"We'll seal a deal soon."

Bach, who is also the President of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), claimed that the issue had been overblown.

"This is not a problem at all," he said. 

"For the field of play it is one piece of land with 800 squares metres and the piece of land was there for the Alpine World Championships and it was ready six weeks before.

“You see what a success the World Championships were and you heard the Minister today who is having the negotiations with the landowner.

"It is quite logical, if I were a landowner you try to get the best deal.

"This is what negotiations are about."

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