The land in Garmisch-Partenkirchen had been at the centre of a dispute since 63 private landowners there had refused to allow their land to be used following a legal battle.

But a week after residents in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, which is due to host the snow events if Munich's bid to stage the Games is successful, voted in favour of the Olympics the final landowner to have reached a settletement has now given his permission. 

The area included a small section that is due to make up the downhill course, the blue-riband event of the Olympics.

Thomas Bach, the President of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) and vice-president of the IOC, had claimed during the visit of the IOC Evaluation Commission in February that he believed the dispute would be settled before the end of Munich's campaign.

But nevertheless it must have been with considerable relief that Munich 2018 officials were able to make this announcement on the eve of the technical presentations that they are due to give to up to 60 IOC members along with rivals Annecy and Pyeongchang. 

"The properties for the sporting events of the 2018 Winter Games have now been secured 100 percent," said Bernhard Schwank (pictured), the bid's chief executive here.

"Seven years before possibly staging the Games, we have an optimal offer for the IOC.

"We are very happy and thank the negotiators for the amicable solution they have found.

"We are very pleased that the land ownership discussions have taken this big step forward.

"Talks have been progressing quickly and constructively for some time now, and we were always confident that we would be able to find the best solution for all parties.

"This is further evidence that the people of Garmisch-Partenkirchen are firmly behind our bid."

The agreement marks a major landmark for Munich 2018 as they try to close the gap on Pyeongchang, the favourites.

"I am happy that the final section of the field of play land has been secured, adding the last piece to the puzzle," said Katarina Witt, the chair of Munich 2018.

"Now we are 100 per cent ready for a Winter Games in 2018 and also for our technical presentation to the IOC here in Lausanne tomorrow."

The news arrived just as two more members of Munich 2018's presentation team, Germany's Federal Minister of the Interior, Hans-Peter Friedrich, and Lord Mayor of Munich, Christian Ude, arrived here for the presentation.

"The rehearsals have been excellent so far and the mood in the team is very positive – we are looking forward to it," said Schwank.

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