By Duncan Mackay in Copenhagen

October 7 - Munich today officially lodged its bid to host the 2018 Olympics which - if it is successful - would make it the first city in history to host both the Summer and Winter Games.



Officials said here toay that top officials of Germany's Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) and Munich Mayor Christian Ude sent letters officially informing the International Olympic Committee (IOC) of the bid.

The Bavarian city hosted the Summer Olympics in 1972.
 

Rivals  will include Annecy from France and Pyeongchang from South Korea, who have both already declared that they will definitely bid, while Harbin in China may also enter the contest before the IOC deadline for applicants closes on October 15.


The winning city will be chosen at the IOC Session in Durban on July 6, 2011.


Thomas Bach, the President of the DOSB and vice-president of the IOC, said: "We are glad that Munich is going into the race with a compact, innovative and sustainable concept."


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