New Munich Director; New Sochi Logo; New Olympic Agreement

Willy Bogner, a two-time skiing Olympian, and James Bond movie director, will chair Munich's bid to stage the 2018 Winter Olympics.

The 67-year-old was appointed Friday and takes up his post Nov. 18. He will work closely with Munich 2018’s joint managing directors Bernhard Schwank and Richard Adam.

“Willy Bogner has internationally an excellent prestige,” said Thomas Bach, IOC vice president and head of the German Olympic committee.

Bogner, who competed in alpine skiing at the 1960 Squaw Valley and 1964 Innsbruck Winter Olympics, later became a fashion designer and filmmaker. He directed skiing scenes in four James Bond movies and directed some clips used in Sochi's 2014 Olympic bid.

Speaking to reporters Friday, he said: “to try to secure the 2018 Winter Games for Munich is the most important Olympic race I’ve ever had the opportunity to participate in.

“The themes selected - sustainability and innovation – are ones that both inspire and motivate people… I look forward to putting all my efforts and abilities into ensuring that our city emerges successful in the bidding process for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games.”

Munich mayor Christian Ude said that with Bogner the Munich bid gets “a face which is known and appreciated abroad”.

Bid leaders said the decision to appoint Bogner reflected the bid's transition to a new phase, following work undertaken by Adam and Schwank in developing the organizational structure and concept.

“With this work close to completion, attention will now turn to promoting the bid nationally and internationally and the new appointment reflects this change in priorities,” said the bid.

Meanwhile, Adam told reporters that Munich was on the verge of signing another sponsor to finance the bid, which is expected to cost about $40 million.

PyeongChang, South Korea, and Annecy, France, are the only other bidders in the 2018 race, which concludes with the IOC vote in Durban in July 2011.

Sochi Logo Launch Nears

Russian Olympic chiefs will unveil a new logo and brand for the Sochi 2014 Winter Games at the end of November, Around the Rings has learned.

Dmitry Chernyshenko, president and CEO of Sochi 2014, and marketing chief Igor Stolyarov are among Games officials who are engaged this week and next in plans to launch Sochi’s new corporate identity.

Events are expected to take place in Moscow, Sochi and nationally to mark the launch. A Sochi 2014 press conference announcing the new branding will be webcast to international media.

The launch precedes an international communications campaign to spread the message about the 2014 Games.

Another sponsor announcement is also expected shortly, following the deal signed with Bosco Sport, the Russian apparel company, last month.

Metal, gas and insurance are the only vacant tier one categories. Chernyshenko aims to have all top tier deals in place by the Vancouver Olympics.

Lula, Brown, Olympic Meeting

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva met with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown Thursday, to sign an agreement to share Olympic expertise. The meeting took place at Number 10 Downing Street.

A spokesman for Brown said, "As this is the first time a South American country will host the summer Olympics, this agreement will establish a structured cooperation program which will allow the UK and Brazil to share knowledge and experience."

Lula was in England to meet with business leaders and speak at the “Investing in Brazil Summit”. He also met with Queen Elizabeth and other British political leaders.

Olympic minister Tessa Jowell also attended the signing.

Gangwon Province Governor Comes Calling in Guadalajara

Governor Jin Sun Kim of Gangwon Province in Korea continues his worldwide travels to gauge support for a 2018 Winter Olympics bid from PyeongChang. Governor Kim paid a visit to Mexico this week where the Pan Am Sports Organization is meeting. Kim departed before the meeting started in Guadalajara and his schedule was not known.

Kim also made a low key visit to Copenhagen around the time of the IOC vote for the 2016 host a month ago. Gangwon province, northeast of Seoul, holds all the venues planned for the for the 2018 bid.

Representatives from the Korean Olympic Committee and the bid committee were also on hand in Guadalajara this week to take notes on the Olympic scene in the Americas.

Olympic Condoms for Sale

A collection of 5,000 condoms from the Beijing Olympics is up on the auction block.

The entire batch will be available for purchase by a single buyer at the Exceptional Auction of China Sport Collection on Nov. 29.

The batch was part of 100,000 condoms leftover from the Olympics.

The Beijing Olympic motto— higher, faster stronger— is written in English and Chinese on each condom wrapper.

Guo Lei of the Sport Collection of China Collector Association said he hopes the sale will promote safe sex practices and help prevent the spread of HIV.

He added that some buyers might shy away from the bidding but emphasized the condoms’ practical application.

"Although anyone married should be interested for their practical use, some people will be too shy to bid for the condoms," he told local media.

Hiroshima Mayor Wants World Support for Bid

The mayor of Hiroshima called on the world to support his city’s joint bid with Nagasaki to host the 2020 Olympics.

"Only Hiroshima and Nagasaki can appeal for a world without nuclear weapons and a festival of peace," Tadatoshi Akiba told Japanese media in an interview. "The Olympics is a good stage to send messages."

Media Watch

Ahead of the 2015 Pan Am Games vote, The Toronto Star profiles Pan American Sports Organization president Mario Vasquez Rana.

Sam Ruburika writes about the downfall of former Rwandan NOC chief Igance Beraho, saying his removal from office “wasn't that much of a surprise.” To subscribe to Around the Rings

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Written by Heinz Peter Kreuzer, Mark Bisson, Ed Hula III and Sam Steinberg.