German leaders endorse Munich 2018 winter Olympics bid

FRANKFURT, July 24 (Reuters) Germany's Olympic Sports Association (DOSB) endorsed today a possible bid by Munich to host the 2018 winter Olympics.

In a statement the DOSB also said its executive had recommended against a bid for the 2016 summer Olympics because the chances of success were remote after London were chosen to host the 2012 Games.

Berlin and Hamburg have expressed interest in bidding for a summer Olympics but the International Olympic Committee are unlikely to choose another European candidate in 2016.

''It's been our goal to bring the Olympics to Germany as soon as possible,'' DOSB president Thomas Bach told reporters after an executive meeting in Frankfurt.

Munich hosted the 1972 summer Olympics while the 1936 winter Games were held in nearby Garmisch-Partenkirchen, an Alpine resort which would be incorporated into any Munich bid.

Germany's last three Olympic bids -- Berchtesgaden 1992, Berlin 2000 and Leipzig 2012 -- all failed.

The DOSB members will discuss the executive's endorsement at a meeting in Hamburg on Dec. 8. The 2018 Olympics are due to be awarded in 2011.

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