The deal will boost the momentum of the Bavarian capital's campaign to bring the Games to the country for the first time in more than 80 years.

Munich 2018 now have an impressive list of key businesses backing their bid with operational expertise.

If the bid is successful the efficient transport network - showcased during the FIFA World Cup in 2006 - will transport winter sports fans during Munich 2018's proposed Festival of Friendship comfortably, economically and in an environmentally-friendly manner.

Katarina Witt, chair of the Munich 2018 Bid Committee, was delighted by the support of Deutsche Bahn.

"To win the full backing of the national railway company is a great signal to the Olympic family that Munich and Bavaria have much of the operational capacity in place to host the Games today," she said.

"Germany's business community is committed to strengthening the Munich 2018 bid and is waiting with bated breath for the decision that could bring millions of international visitors to our country.

"Should we be chosen to host the Winter Games, Munich aims to shift transport from streets to rails and pioneer new environmentally-friendly standards for the Games.

"That is the Munich 2018 ecological promise."

Special rates on combined tickets for competitions and rail travel will be on offer for hundreds of thousands of Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games spectators.



Rüdiger Grube, chief executive of Deutsche Bahn, said: "We have been involved in Munich's bid from the very start, contributing expertise in fields such as transport and traffic, and now we are pleased to demonstrate our complete backing for the bid as a national sponsor.

"We hope that our work towards enhancing the travel experience for people with a disability by providing more accessible trains is a clear message to the international world that Germany is inclusive to all.

"The increased accessibility at the train stations at Garmisch-Partenkirchen and surrounding towns already highlights how we are preparing for the possibility of welcoming all guests to the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2018."

Deutsche Bahn is already the national sponsor of this year's FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany, having also been a key partner of the men's World Cup in 2006.

Germany's railway system plays a crucial role in the strong and unique ecological concept that underlines the Munich bid.

During the feasibility study for the Winter Games, specialists at Deutsche Bahn supplied the Munich 2018 Bid Committee with detailed information of operational capabilities that helped lay the foundation for the bid.

Bernhard Schwank, chief executive officer of the Munich 2018 Bid Committee, said: "Deutsche Bahn is and has always been a reliable partner of sports in Germany, especially at mega-events, and Munich 2018 warmly welcomes their decision to come on board as a national sponsor.

"The German railway company contributed significantly to the development of Munich 2018's regional railway concept and their invaluable input, expertise and experience will guarantee that the transport system in 2018 would be state-of-the-art as well as ecologically sound."

Deutsche Bahn hopes to improve the railway line between Munich and Garmisch-Partenkirchen, expand the regional railroad system around the Snow Park and introduce express trains, which would undoubtedly benefit the entire Olympic family.

It would also leave a lasting legacy for the region.

The increased support from Deutsche Bahn will inject an even greater sense of national unity behind the bid for the Winter Games in 2018 as Munich prepares for the IOC Evaluation Commission visit from March 1-4.


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