Some of the world's finest alpine athletes competing at the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Garmisch-Partenkirchen over the last few days have praised the mountain venues which are central to Munich's bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2018.

The praise was led by Olympic downhill champion and two-time world champion, Lindsey Vonn, who said: "I really like Garmisch.

"It is a great city.

"I think for the 2018 Olympics that Munich is definitely the best candidate.

"I hope that they get it.

"And I hope that I´m still competing then.

"The audience here is great.

"Everyone in Garmisch is really supportive.

"I mean, they are cheering until the last person comes down.

"And that is very unusual.

"The spectators are very kind."

Canada's Erik Guay, thd downhill champion, said: "It is a great hill and a great place with a great ambiance.

"I would be happy if they had it here.

"It's a great track, very challenging and people saw that on the first training run, it could be one of the hardest in the world.

"For me its absolutely fantastic.

"There is no other place in the world like Garmisch - I've had great results here in the past.

"To be on top after the Super G victory here last year it is pretty emotional."

In addition, Munich 2018's promise that millions of enthusiastic spectators would welcome athletes to Germany for the Winter Games in 2018 has been strengthened this week as winter sports events continue to attract unrivalled television viewership in the country.

A record 7.22 million viewers tuned in to see Munich 2018 sports ambassador, Magdalena Neuner, take the title in the women's 12.5km mass start at the Biathlon World Cup in Fort Kent, United States.

Another 3.48 million viewers celebrated as another Munich 2018 sports ambassador, Maria Riesch, took third place in last Sunday's women's downhill on the iconic Kandahar run in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.



Meanwhile, the Munich 2018 Bid Committee is attending a number of key international sports events, highlighting, officials claim, the dedication and commitment of the team that hopes to bring the Winter Games to Germany for the first time in over 80 years.

Katarina Witt (pictured), the chair of the Munich 2018 Bid Committee, attended the opening ceremony of the European Youth Olympic Winter Festival in Liberec, Czech Republic, and took the opportunity to reaffirm the bid's commitment to spreading the Olympic values to the next generation.

She said: "The European Youth Olympic Winter Festival in Liberec was a true reminder that as a Candidate City it is important that the dreams of young people are a priority and that as the next generation of sports stars, they deserve the best conditions to compete.

"My trip to the first Youth Olympic Games in Singapore last year really reminded me of how thrilling it can be to educate youngsters about the ideals of sport and the Olympic Movement.

"I am looking forward to the world's first Winter Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck next year."

In addition, senior executives from Munich 2018  met athletes and fans of bobsleigh and skeleton from around the world last week, as the sliding centre at Königssee, another Munich 2018 venue, hosts the FIBT World Championships.