FC Bayern Munich's Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger and last summer's World Cup sensation Thomas Müller (pictured) - who won the Golden Boot award as top scorer in the tournament - have become sports ambassadors for the Bid.

The trio helped kick-start the Bundesliga's support for the Bavarian capital at the recent Munich 2018-branded match against FC Kaiserslautern.

Philipp Lahm said: "I am convinced that Munich 2018 has developed the perfect concept, offering great benefits to athletes visiting from all around the world.

"The Munich Olympic Park with the Olympic Stadium would be a perfect site for the Winter Games in 2018.

"I will be very excited if the Games come to Munich as not only am I a resident of the city, but I know that it would be a great opportunity to relive the amazing atmosphere that surrounded the FIFA World Cup in 2006 - the bid gets my vote."

Bastian Schweinsteiger (pictured), who in his youth was a talented Alpine skier before embarking on a career in football, said: "Skiing is a passion of mine and I have always had a strong connection with winter sports.



"Many children dream of playing in a FIFA World Cup or competing in the Games in front of a home crowd.

"I was lucky enough to take part in a FIFA World Cup in my own country and, by supporting the bid to bring the Games to Germany in 2018, I hope to give all the young winter sports talents the chance to see their dreams come true as well."

Echoing his teammate's confidence, Thomas Müller said: "The Olympic and Paralympic Games are one of the biggest and most important sports events in the world - that is why I am backing Munich's bid and want to show my support as a sports ambassador."

Katarina Witt, chair of the Munich 2018 Bid Committee, was delighted with the support of the football stars.

"This vote of confidence from sportsmen at the top of their game is an example of how home-grown talents, who have been nurtured into world-class professionals, continue to share the national passion for winter sports that underlines our Bid," she said.

"Munich 2018 will benefit from this pledge of commitment from internationally renowned stars and we will work together with the strong team spirit that is synonymous with FC Bayern Munich to spread enthusiasm for the bid across the globe."

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Bayern Munich's executive board chairman and German football legend, said: "The support from these individual athletes, who have grown up and are enjoying successful sports careers in the city, sends out an important message to the sporting community that Munich 2018 offers an athlete-focused concept with a passion for sports at its heart.

"The city, the region and the whole country thrived from hosting the Games in 1972, and the Olympic legacy that still lives on serves as a daily reminder of Munich's uniquely sustainable concept.

"The whole club at FC Bayern Munich is backing the Bid to bring the Olympic and Paralympic Games to Munich."

The Munich 2018 concept, revealed in full when the Bid Book was made public earlier this month, was designed in full consultation with top athletes.


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