The bid book promises the Games will act as an historic blueprint for an athlete-focused and sustainable Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games held in a celebratory, festival atmosphere.

Katarina Witt, two-time Olympic champion and chair of the Munich 2018 Bid Committee, and Bernhard Schwank, the chief executive, handed over and were joined by Marcus Weber, a gifted young German ice hockey star of the future representing the hopes of the hundreds of thousands of young aspiring winter sports athletes from Germany.

"This is a prestigious milestone event that marks an acceleration of the critical international campaign," Witt told insidethegames after handing in the File.

"The Munich 2018 bid book will help the Olympic Movement understand our compelling and unique offer.

"We look forward to bringing this to life at the Evaluation Commission Visit and future Olympic events.

"The Munich 2018 Bid Book has three outstanding assets: a world-class athlete experience designed by world-class athletes; a uniquely dynamic plan that offers the IOC an historic sustainability showcase; and a promise of a Festival of Friendship that will unite the sporting world in a celebration of Olympism before, during and after the Games," said Witt.

"And, speaking as an Olympian, I have been particularly impressed by our plans to ensure that the 2018 Olympians and Paralympians will reap the benefits from Bavaria's and Germany's experience of hosting sports on the Winter Games programme, with 15 World Cups and World Championships this winter."

The Candidate File reveals, what German officials claim, is Munich's remarkably compact plan for the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

The "Two Park" concept features villages and venues concentrated in an Ice Park in Munich and a Snow Park only an hour to the south in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, with the legendary Königssee Sliding Centre just a short distance away.

"For the first time in Olympic history, Munich 2018 will demonstrate how Olympic venues [from our 1972 Summer Games] can be transformed into Winter Games venues," said Schwant.

"In fact, the 2018 Games in Munich would revitalise the existing Munich Olympic Park and enable it to continue serving the next generations and the international sports community for the next 40 years.

"This will give the Olympic Movement a living legacy story that spans 80 years.

"Now that is what I call sustainability at work."



Munich are the last of the three candidates to host the 2018 Olympics to hand in their Candidate File following Annecy and Pyeongchang, who delivered their bids yesterday.

The 396-page Munich 2018 Bid Book covers 17 themes that will be carefully reviewed by the IOC Evaluation Commission who will visit Munich from March 1-4.

Every IOC Member will also have a chance to assess Munich's assets as they will receive their own Bid Book courtesy of Munich's new National Sponsor, Deutsche Post.

The book reveals that Munich's concept, which places multiple venues, training and celebration sites into a unified setting, creates, what officials claim, is an an unprecedented level of convenience for the athletes and Olympic family and reflects Munich's long-term commitment to sustainability as a social ethic.

The compact plan ensures that approximately 80 per cent of the athletes will reside within five minutes of their competition and training venues, officials claim.

Each park will serve as a major sport and cultural celebration centre for the Games, creating a unique atmosphere that enhances competitive conditions, the book reveals.

Weber hopes that if Munich's bid is successful then he will be chosen to play for Germany.

"I am so excited to be part of Munich's bid to bring the Winter Games to Germany in 2018 – competing in front of a home audience would be a dream come true for me, and for athletes of all ages," he said.

"I have grown up in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and I've seen dozens of World Cups and World Championships come to town.

"It's always a special time: with people from all over the world cheering and celebrating together, the atmosphere in the venues and around the town is incredible.

"If Munich 2018 is awarded the Winter Games, that incredible atmosphere will reach a new level – not just in the arenas; not just in Garmisch-Partenkirchen; but across the whole country. Munich 2018 would be an inspiration to young athletes everywhere."

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January 2011: Annecy and Pyeongchang deliver Candidate Files for 2018 Olympic bids to IOC