Willy Bogner, head of Munich’s bid for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games, has stepped down from his position following an announcement last week that he had an unspecified bowel disease.
Bogner said in a press release, “my condition is unfortunately more serious than previously thought. My doctors have strongly recommended against any further long distance travel. I hope people understand that my health must come first. Naturally, I am a passionate advocate of our bid and I will continue to support it in any way I can”.
Bogner will remain with the bid and will be voted a member of the Select Supervisory Board.
Katarina Witt, Chair of the bid committee and a double Olympic gold medal-winner, will now take on a more high-profile, prominent role while continuing to represent the bid internationally, while Bernhard Schwank will take over for Bogner as CEO effective immediately.
Witt said, “having spoken with a number of IOC members over the past weeks, I am positive that Willy has left the bid in great shape – Munich 2018 is certainly well-respected among many of the key figures in world sport. But there is still much work to be done”.
Munich is competing for the bid along with Annecy and PyeongChang. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will select a host city in a vote in Durban, South Africa next July.
