The event, attended by Chancellor Angela Merkel, showcased the potential of Munich 2018’s Festival of Friendship concept with live music, including opera, rock and traditional Bavarian folk music, German officials claimed.

The event was broadcast live on German television to an estimated audience of more than three million

The competition began today with the women’s super-G competition in which Munich 2018 sports ambassador, Maria Riesch, won the bronze medal.

 

Thomas Bach, President of the German Olympic Sports Confederation, chair of the Munich 2018 Shareholders Assembly and International Olympic Committee (IOC) vice-president, was among those attending the Opening Ceremony.

 

"It was a fantastic Opening Ceremony with our laptops and lederhosen on snow - a beautiful combination of our folk traditions and high-tech culture," he said.

"Short, crisp, great! With the FIS World Championships we can again show that we are a cosmopolitan country, we can organise well and that we have a huge population of winter sports enthusiasts."

 

More than 500 athletes from 69 nations are taking part in the Championships, which German officials believe will demonstrate their ability to host major events.

 

"It was fantastic to see what is being done in Garmisch-Partenkirchen to celebrate the global event - an incredible show of the Bavarian passion for winter sports with a sense of warmth and hospitality from the crowd," said Bernhard Schwank, chief executive of Munich 2018.

"The athletes are experiencing a hint of Munich 2018’s Festival of Friendship atmosphere and everything we have promised to the world should the Games come to Munich in 2018."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Releated stories
February 2011: German football stars pass vote of confidence in Munich 2018 Bid