Munich is bidding to become the first city in the history of the Olympics to host both the Summer and Winter Games and Rogge, a former sailor, will be returning to the city where in 1972 he was a member of the Belgium team that competed there.

The Championships, that will take place at Hochbrück until August 10 and have attracted entries from 103 countries, are in the same venue that was used for the shooting competitions at the 1972 Olympics - which organisers of the 2018 bid will emphasise to Rogge is an outstanding example of legacy left by a city hosting the Games.

Willy Bogner, the chief executive of Munich 2018, said: "The World Championships are a great chance to highlight Munich’s passion for all sports – both as organisers and as committed, well-informed fans, guaranteeing an unrivalled experience for all athletes. 

"It is a great sign that they are taking place in exactly the same venue as the competitions in 1972, a sustainable Olympic legacy which Munich hopes to continue by having the honour of hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2018.' 
 
Thomas Bach, the President of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), will also take part in the opening ceremony, to be held at 3.30pm on Munich's Marienplatz. 

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