The city’s blueprint for hosting the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Munich, Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the rural district of the Berchtesgadener Land was carried by 75 votes to six.

Bernhard Schwank, chief executive of the Munich 2018 Bid Committee, said: "Munich City Council has given a strong signal of support, with the majority of councillors voting to approve our draft of the Candidature File.

"There was also strong cross-political party support for what we believe will be a convincing and strong Bid Book that we will deliver to the International Olympic Committee in January 2011."

Representatives of the Green Party also unanimously voted in favour of the draft.

Munich's plans have been criticised by some environmentalists.

But Siegfried Benker, head of the Green Party at Munich City Council, expressed his firm belief that the 2018 Winter Games would be ecologically sound.

Benker said: "Green City Council members are convinced that the environmental and sustainability concept of the bid comprises great projects which make it possible to combine mega events like the Winter Games with ecological responsibility.

"Munich has the chance to stand as an example for other big cities hosting such large scale events."

Chair of Munich 2018, Katarina Witt, reacted to the news by saying: "I am delighted.

"This vote will send a powerful signal to the Olympic Movement of the growing support at every level for Munich 2018.

"We now have the foundation to build real momentum toward the final vote at the IOC Session in Durban next year."

Schwank added: "We are confident our two-park concept, our meticulous planning and our environmental and sustainability concept will also convince the council of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the district council of the Berchtesgadener Land and our shareholders assembly."

The City Council of Garmisch-Partenkirchen will also vote on approval of the draft of the Candidature File and the Berchtesgadener Land will follow on October 11.

Munich 2018’s main shareholder, the German Olympic Sports Confederation, and the Munich 2018 Supervisory Board have already given their unanimous approval of the Bid Book.


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