Munich looks to boost Olympic bid with special ambassadors

Munich looks to boost Olympic bid with special ambassadors Munich - Gold medallists like Dieter Thoma and Ulrike Nasse-Meyfarth are among 60 special ambassadors to promote Munich's bid for the 2018 Winter Olympics.

The ski-jumper Thoma, high-jumper Nasse-Meyfarth and other former and active athletes are to raise attention "among the public and sponsors," Munich bid committee managing director Bernhard Schwank said on Monday.

Schwank said his committee is having a hard time in the grim economic climate to find sponsors to finance the 30-million euros (42 million dollars) bid. However, Munich-based carmakers BMW are a prominent sponsor.

The 2018 host city is elected by the International Olympic Committee on July 6, 2011, in Durban, South Africa. So far Annecy (France) and Pyeongchang (South Korea) are other cities interested to get the Games.

Munich hosted the 1972 Summer Games, at which Meyfarth famously won her first of two golds as a 16-year-old. If it lands the winter edition as well it will be the first city to host both Olympics. (dpa)