France has officially submitted its bid to host the 2030 Winter Olympics and Paralympics in the Alps, with a vision of staging a sustainable, inclusive and economically viable event. The bid, which was presented to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Paris on Tuesday, involves four hubs across the alpine region, with Nice as the main host city.
A comprehensive strategy to leverage existing infrastructure and expertise
The French bid is based on a comprehensive strategy to leverage the existing infrastructure and expertise in the alpine region, which has a rich sports heritage and has hosted three previous Winter Games in Chamonix (1924), Grenoble (1968) and Albertville (1992). The bid proposes to use 95% of the existing venues, with only two new facilities to be built: a sliding center in La Plagne and a ski jumping hill in Courchevel. This approach aims to reduce the environmental impact and the financial burden of hosting the event, while ensuring a high-quality experience for the athletes and the spectators.
The bid also highlights the environmental sustainability, inclusivity for people with disabilities, and the adoption of green energy as key pillars of its vision. The bid pledges to achieve carbon neutrality, to provide accessible and affordable transport and accommodation, and to use renewable sources for 100% of the electricity consumption. The bid also promises to create a lasting legacy for the region, by promoting social cohesion, economic development and sports education.
A strong contender against stiff competition
The French bid faces stiff competition from other potential host nations, such as Sweden and Switzerland, which have also expressed their interest in hosting the 2030 Winter Games. The IOC is expected to decide the host by next summer, following a dialogue phase with the candidates. The IOC may also decide to award both the 2030 and 2034 Winter Games hosts at the same time, as it did for the 2024 and 2028 Summer Games, which were awarded to Paris and Los Angeles, respectively.
The French bid has the advantage of having strong political support at the regional and national levels, as well as the endorsement of the French Olympic Committee and the French Paralympic Committee. The bid is led by Laurent Wauquiez and Renaud Muselier, the heads of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur regions, which are the main stakeholders of the project. The bid also has the backing of President Emmanuel Macron, who has expressed his enthusiasm for bringing the Winter Games back to France.
A diverse and rich experience for the Olympic family and the global audience
The French bid aims to offer a diverse and rich experience for the Olympic family and the global audience, by showcasing the beauty and diversity of the alpine region. The bid proposes four hubs for the different sports disciplines, each with its own identity and atmosphere:
- Nice: The main host city, which would host the indoor sports of figure skating, hockey, short track speed skating and curling. Nice is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city, with a Mediterranean climate and a rich cultural heritage.
- Grenoble: The historical and scientific hub, which would host the biathlon, cross-country skiing, Nordic combined and ski jumping events. Grenoble is a dynamic and innovative city, with a strong academic and research profile and a legacy of hosting the 1968 Winter Games.
- Albertville: The Olympic and Paralympic hub, which would host the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the alpine skiing, bobsleigh, luge, skeleton and snowboarding events. Albertville is a charming and authentic city, with a proud Olympic history and a close connection to the mountains.
- Chamonix: The legendary and adventurous hub, which would host the freestyle skiing, ski mountaineering and speed skating events. Chamonix is a mythical and iconic destination, with a stunning natural scenery and a reputation as the birthplace of winter sports.
The bid also plans to involve other alpine resorts and cities, such as Annecy, Courchevel, La Plagne, Les Arcs, Tignes and Val d’Isère, as training and competition venues, as well as cultural and entertainment sites.
The bid hopes to attract a large and diverse audience, both on-site and online, by offering a variety of activities and events, such as festivals, concerts, exhibitions, workshops and educational programs. The bid also intends to use digital and social media platforms, as well as innovative technologies, such as virtual reality and 5G, to enhance the fan engagement and the media coverage of the event.
