German soccer legend Franz Beckenbauer is on his way to Durban to bolster Munich’s bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympics.
He is likely to play a role in the final presentation to the members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) when they choose the host city on Wednesday  (decision 1am AEST Thursday).

Beckenbauer and all the major football clubs in Germany have supported the Winter bid from the outset. And while Munich will benefit from having Beckenbauer they already have a vote-winning juggernaut in bid chairwoman and dual Olympic gold medallist Katarina Witt.

The champion figure skater held court at another media conference today admitting she “is in a very different competition now but only in it to win it”.

The media conference was packed with journalists from the rival bid of Pyeongchang, South Korea, but she did not miss a beat, in fact the Koreans didn’t ask a question.

Witt told the media pack Munich has “humongous support” from the German people.

She was supported by Verena Bentele the winner of 12 Paralympic gold medals for Germany in cross country skiing and biathlon.

Both women were champions on the ice but they are just as good when it comes to spruiking an Olympic bid.

“Munich has great momentum,” Witt proclaimed as they attempt to rest the prize away from the other contenders Pyeongchang and the French city Annecy.

All three bid cities held final dress rehearsals Monday to ensure the pitch to the IOC is perfect.

Witt didn’t flinch when one journalist suggested there was too much travelling time between venues in Munich and Garmisch where events are also being held.

“It’s closer than Vancouver to Whistler.” - drawing on her 2010 Winter Olympic experience as a television anchor woman and commentator.  

Pyeongchang is hoping it is a case of third time lucky. They have bid twice before only to be disappointed.

Annecy is considered the outsider of the trio.

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Mike Tancred
AOC - Durban