"Sport possesses an enormous capacity for integration," said Wulff.

"Sport connects people and transcends cultural boundaries.

"Sport strengthens values, like team spirit and respect.

"Hosting the Winter Games would be a great honour and an opportunity for our country to welcome guests from all over the world.

"I support the bid from Munich, Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Königssee to host the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2018 and I will continue to promote it internationally."

The President's public vote of confidence preceded the signing of a multi-party agreement by a number of high-profile guarantors, including Chancellor Merkel, uniting signatories in their commitment and support for all plans outlined in the Candidature File, due to be submitted to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on January 11.

Other guarantors included Bavaria's Prime Minister, Horst Seehofer; Lord Mayor of Munich, Christian Ude; Mayor of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Thomas Schmid; Berchtesgadener Land district head of administration, Georg Grabner; German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) President, Thomas Bach; DOSB director general, Michael Vesper; and chief executive officer of the Munich 2018 Bid Committee, Bernhard Schwank.

Chancellor Merkel said: "The Munich bid for the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games is a matter of national importance.

"The federal, state and local governments share a common vision and are committed to promoting and supporting Munich 2018."

The agreement contains a total of 47 separate pledges on issues such as planned traffic measures, the construction of the Olympic villages and media accommodation.

Further guarantees involve the free provision of public services, marketing agreements and branding rights, and an overall commitment to upholding national and international anti-doping regulations.


Speaking after signing the agreement, Bach said: "Every echelon of German sport is determined to bring the Winter Games to Munich in 2018.

"The DOSB General Assembly has voted unanimously to support Munich 2018 and joins the huge number of supporters backing the bid.

"The signatures on the agreement serve to demonstrate to the world the desire we have to host the 2018 Winter Games."

Ude, an ardent supporter of the bid from the very beginning, said: "Over 90 per cent of Munich city councillors fully support the content of the Bid Book – a powerful indication that the entire city aspires to holding a Festival of Friendship in 2018.

"Bavaria and Germany live in the legacy left by the 1972 Olympic Games.

"Our passion for the Games and the benefits they will bring Germany and the wider Olympic Movement creates a solid foundation for staging a Winter Games in 2018."

Munich 2018 received further good news when the Bavarian Parliament reaffirmed its overwhelming support for Munich 2018 and voted 148 to 18 in favour of the Olympic Act.

This ensures all necessary financial guarantees for the Games will be in place and is yet another sign of the cross-party backing the bid committee enjoys at all levels of government.

Prime Minister Seehofer said: "Bavaria is ready to stage the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2018.

"The bid for the Winter Games has received widespread support and is strongly endorsed by our state parliament.

"The hugely positive vote of parliament representatives shows that Bavaria wants to welcome the Games, and, furthermore, is committed to investing in that ambition."


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