Katarina Witt, the chair of Munich 2018, has claimed that the success of the BMW Open tennis tournament in Munich, which was won by Russia's Nikolay Davydenko (pictured), whose prize included a new car, again show that when it comes to this combination then Germany is unbeatable and why it should be awarded the Games ahead of rivals Annecy and Pyeongchang.

A record 38,000 fans flocked to Munich for the first of five German tournaments on the 2011 ATP World Tour calendar.

The BMW-sponsored event also underlined one of Munich 2018's key offerings to the Olympic Movement, Witt claimed, with the sports sponsorship market in Germany worth €2.6 billion (£2.3 billion/$3.4 billion) annually, meaning they could offer unprecedented commercial opportunities and guarantee the long-term health and sustainability of winter sports worldwide.

"It has been a great week for Munich," said the former double Olympic skating champion.

"Once again the city has proved itself as an ideal host for a global celebration of sports at the Winter Games in 2018.

"The Munich BMW Open adds another success story to Germany's impressive record of hosting mega events in a safe festival atmosphere.

"There have been three World Championships and 12 World Cups in sports on the Winter Games programme in Germany this season alone.

"That the event was sponsored by BMW, a Munich 2018 National Sponsor, is a timely reminder of the strength of Germany's sports sponsorship market.

"It will be worth an estimated €22 billion (£20 billion/$37 billion) between 2013 and 2020 - even without a Winter Games in Munich."

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