Nesha Starcevic

MUNICH -- After overcoming domestic opposition, winning a strong government endorsement and earning praise from the IOC, the Bavarian capital of Munich believes it is in a strong position to secure the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Munich is considered a close second behind the South Korean city of Pyeongchang ahead of the International Olympic Committee vote on next Wednesday in Durban, South Africa. Annecy, France, is the third contender.

FRANKFURT, Germany -- The highly anticipated fight between IBF and WBO champion Wladimir Klitschko and WBA title-holder David Haye could take place outside Germany, Klitschko's management said Monday.

The Klitschko Management Group said it was looking at soccer stadiums in Dortmund, Gelsenkirchen and Kaiserslautern, but also at "two options abroad."

KMG executive Bernd Boente said the fight would take place in prime time for German television, but did not say which possible locations outside Germany were being considered.

GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany -- Cyprien Richard and last-minute substitute Anemone Marmottan helped France edge Austria to win the team event Wednesday at the world championships.

Both teams won two of the four parallel giant slalom races but France took the gold because it had faster times. Richard's convincing win over Philipp Schoerghofer proved crucial for the tiebreaker, while Marmottan, who replaced Taina Barioz in the final, beat Michaela Kirchgasser by one-hundredth of a second for a key point.

"It's great to win the title ahead of Austria. That's the best way to win it," said Thomas Fanara, one of the French foursome. "It's amazing to be a champion with the team."