Ludwig Hartmann, a Member of the Bavarian Parliament for the Green Party, had been one of the leaders of an anti-Olympic campaign - The "NOlympia" initiative - which had included writing to Jacques Rogge, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), to protest about Munich's bid, claiming that there was no support for it.

But the website - "OlympiJA 2018" - set-up by Krieger and Koller aims to support Munich and its seven key legacies if it hosts the Games, including making a contribution to international understanding and cooperation, developing infrastructure across the region, improving housing there and raising the awareness of people with a disability.

Krieger and Koller, who are City Councillors in Munich, also claim that if the German city hosts the Games it will ultimately help the Green Party achieve some of its aims.

Krieger said: "We believe our region will undoubtedly benefit from hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, especially with the Munich 2018 environmental policies.

"The Games will also offer the Green Party a platform to develop its environmental programmes in the city."
 
Willy Bogner, the chief executive of Munich 2018, naturally welcomed the initiative.

He said: "This support from Sabine Krieger and Jutta Koller from the Green Party has been tremendous.

"Munich 2018, working closely with several environmental organisations, aims to achieve the highest Green standards in every aspect of the Games preparation, construction and operations."

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