Christian Ude (pictured), the Lord Mayor of Munich, tried to emphasise that his city offered the best enviromental solution for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) when they chose the host city at its Session on Wednesday (July 6). 

"Munich 2018's concept protects Bavaria's natural treasures, but it's also about urban sustainability," he said.

"After the Games, our energy-plus Olympic Village will become affordable housing units for low income families and address a real social need.

"The Olympic Park has already been a centre for sports, culture and entertainment for 40 years and we want to renew that legacy."

Ude was supported by Michael Vesper (pictured), the chairman of the Munich 2018 Supervisory Board, who was a founding member of the Green Party in Germany.


"Munich 2018's environmental vision is of the first ever carbon-neutral Winter Games," he said.

"We want to help set new global standards in green mega-events.

"Seventy-five per cent of the venues in our concept already exist and 24 per cent will be temporary.

"Just one per cent of the sports facility space will be permanently converted - less than the size of a football pitch."

Munich has been trailing the favourites Pyeongchang since the race begun but, with the momentum behind it, has closed the gap dramatically in the last few weeks.

"It's great to be here in Durban – it's such a sports-mad city and there's a real buzz around the IOC Session," said Bernhard Schwank, the chief executive of Munich 2018.

"The mood in the camp is positive and very optimistic.

"It's been a long journey together, but our momentum has been building constantly and we are peaking at exactly the right time.

"Our first rehearsals have gone extremely well and we are hearing some very positive things. Now really is the time for Munich 2018.

"It's been an amazing race and we really feel like we can cross the line in first place."

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