GUANGZHOU — Munich vows to unite the world's athletes for "the greatest experience of their lives" if its bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympic Games is successful.

While it hosted the 1972 Summer Olympics, Munich has yet to host a Winter Games. It is one of three finalists alongside Annecy, France, and Pyeongchang in the Republic of Korea.

"The experience that we create for athletes at the Winter Games should be the greatest experience of their lives. The atmosphere should be more than they have ever dreamed of – full stadiums, fans who cheer for everyone, a city filled with the festival spirit," said Katarina Witt, a former Olympic figure skating champion and member of the Munich 2018 bidding committee.

The International Olympic Committee will deliver its verdict on July 6, 2011, in Durban, South Africa.

Munich officials say they want to share the tradition of winter sports with people across the globe.

"To be a member of the Olympic movement like Germany, the first task to try to get the Games in your country, to welcome the athletes from the whole world," the CEO of the bidding committee, Bernhard Schwank, told China Daily.

"Many times before, for the World Cup and many world championships, it has had great passion and atmosphere, the Germans cheering for all the athletes, cheering for everybody, making it really a festival for each World Cup and world championships."

The Munich bid states ice events will take place in the city while Garmisch-Partenkirchen, about one hour from Munich, will host the snow events. It includes plans for two athletes' villages.

"More than 80 percent of the athletes can reach their training and competition venues within five minutes. This is unique. As an athletes-oriented bid, our focus is that it is perfect for all the athletes. The distance is only one hour by train or shuttle bus," Schwank said.

He also emphasized that more than 80 percent of Germans support the bid.

"The whole nation is fully behind this bid. That's very helpful," he said.

"That's a very clear and very strong signal to the world and at the heart of winter sports. From time to time you have to regenerate this power of winter sports we have in Europe and Germany, as well as giving the youth in the country the possibility to see in front of their own house what's happening when the Winter Olympics is in your country."

Witt was diplomatic when asked about her confidence in Munich's chances.

"You know, it's a competition. The winner will be decided in July," the two-time gold medalist said. "They are all very strong bids. Everybody will try their best for sure. But there will be only one gold medalist."