German ice-skating legend Katarina Witt on Tuesday took over as the leader of Munich’s bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympic Games after her predecessor resigned for health reasons.
The 44-year-old, who won ladies singles Winter Olympic gold in Calgary in 1988 and Sarajevo in 1984, replaces Willy Bogner, 68, who on Monday stepped down as president and leader of the bid on medical advice.
Bogner will be replaced as president by Bernhard Schwank, while Witt will be the new face of the Munich bid.
PHOTO: AFP
PRESSURE
The Bavarian bid is under pressure as there is only four months left before it must be formally submitted and the loss of Bogner was a blow, but it is hoped charismatic Witt can bring the Winter Games to Munich.
“We must now work hard to integrate the public into this bid and make every effort to fulfill our common dream of the Olympics in our own country,” Witt said. “I am perhaps the most famous face in our team, but we have all worked together from the start and put in plenty of commitment.”
“I have been the chairman of the board of trustees since Vancouver earlier this year and have worked to make this a success internationally. Now I’m going to bring that to a national level,” Witt said.
READY FOR THE JOB
Thomas Bach, president of Germany’s Olympic committee, said Witt is ready for the top job.
“She had the task of making the presentation for Munich 2018 during the Youth Games in Singapore and she did a good job,” he said. “We have received the best response from all the parties and IOC members.”
“This role will continue — and I’m sure she will do it with success,” Bach said.
Munich’s bid has already been hit with several problems as Bavarian farmers refused in July to allow their land to be used for the Games.
The International Olympic Committee will vote in Durban, South Africa, on July 6 next year on who wins the right to host the Games.
Munich are up against South Korean candidate Pyeongchang, bidding for a third time after two unsuccessful previous attempts, and the French town of Annecy, bidding to restore national pride after the crushing defeat Paris suffered at the hands of London for hosting the 2012 Summer Games.
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