By Duncan Mackay in Vancouver

February 23 - The Bundesliga, the world's most popular football league, is to back Munich's bid to host the 2018 Olympics and Paralympics, it was announced at a special ceremony here tonight.


Germany's national league will promote Munich's bid by providing an opportunity to advertise the campaign on boards at matches across the country as well in club programmes and on official internet sites which have a reach of several million.

The Bundesliga, which is the most watched league in the world with an average attendance of 42,115, putting it ahead of competitions in England, Spain and Italy, will also promote Munich's bid in a series of joint television commercials.

The deal was launched at Germany House in the heart of Vancouver at a ceremony attended by Thomas Bach, the President of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), Willy Bogner, the chief executive of Munich 2018, and Dr. Reinhard Rauball, the President of the Bundesliga.

Bach said: "The cooperation with the Bundesliga shows that even football is fully behind Munich's Olympic bid.

"Every week millions of enthusiastic fans will help promote Munich's bid.

"We have gained a strong partner who will support us well."



Rauball said: "The Bundesliga supports German sport.

"We have seen what a positive effect the 2006 World Cup in Germany had on the country.

"It is therefore our common goal that Munich should host the 2018 Olympics.

"A summer fairy tale could now be followed by a winter wonderland."

It is another boost for Munich's bid which has already been backed by a number of major blue-chip German companies, including Adidas, BMW, Lufthansa and Siemens.

Bogner said: "In the Bundesliga we have found an important team member for four Olympic application."

Munich is one of three cities hoping to host the 2018 Olympics.

Annecy and Pyeongchang are also bidding for the event, which will be awarded by the International Olympic Committee at its Session in Durban on July 6, 2011.

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