A joint bid to host the 2030 Winter Olympics was formally submitted by officials from Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes earlier this week, who say they already have 95% of the infrastructure needed to welcome the Games.
The 2024 Paris Summer Olympics aren’t even here yet, but France is already looking to nab another Olympic date. This time, the Alpine regions of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA) and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes are hoping to share the Winter Games in 2030.
DYNAMIC DUO
Officials from PACA and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, including French National Olympic and Sports Committee President David Lappartient, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes President Laurent Wauquiez, PACA President Renaud Muselier and Head of the Paralympic Committee Marie-Amélie Le Fur, presented a co-application to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on 7th November, officially confirming their candidature as potential hosts.
“The French Alps are the most beautiful natural setting for reviving the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The memories of Albertville [Winter Olympics 1992] are still very strong,” said Wauquiez of the bid.
The regions are up against submissions from Switzerland and Sweden, both nations with strong winter sports reputations.
Though the Mediterranean may not seem the most likely place to hold winter games, the organisers say that the infrastructure is mostly in place – as much as 95% of what would be required by such a major event – and that a €1.5 billion budget could be raised to fill the gaps.
NICE AS A HOST CITY
It is being reported that some of those funds could find their way to Nice. The city could win big if the two French regions are selected to host, with several indoor events expected to take place there, particularly centred around a new purpose-built ice rink.
“What pride that our city, as well as the Nice Côte d’Azur ski resorts, are being selected to participate,” said long-time Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi on social media upon hearing the news. “If we win, we could host the closing ceremony as well as the events [such as] ice hockey, figure skating, short track, curling, ski and snowboard cross.”
The first round of IOC decisions will take place on 28th November in Paris, and if PACA and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes make the cut, they will go on to the next stage of bidding. The final answer will be announced following the 2024 Paris Olympics in July and August.
Make sure you’re never left out of the conversation.
Sign up for the Monaco Life newsletter, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Photo source: Christian Estrosi, Facebook