2024-10-26 09:37:00
During a meeting in the presence of stakeholders involved in the French Alps 2030 Olympic and Paralympic project, Michel Barnier distilled a pragmatic message between ambition and sobriety, while the Games Organizing Committee (COJO) – of which we know now that it will be chaired by an athlete – must be put in place in the coming weeks.
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Tfind the appropriate equation to ensure good governance of the Games and the implementation of preparations for organizing the event. This is the challenge usually posed in the context of hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
For the French Alps 2030, this style exercise is however embellished with a perilous challenge additional, with the constant search for a balance between territories and perhaps even more between the political actors involved.
Because by merging the ambition of two Regions – Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur – to aim for the 2030 deadline in place of a candidacy likely to be embodied by one or the other by 2034 or 2038the political imprint became all the more present.
The presentation of the application had also given rise to a perfect highlighting of this political dimensionrelegating to the background the sporting aspect which is nevertheless decisive in claiming to host the Games. In fact, the choice of clusters sports and the distribution of the major markers of the Games as well as the sectoring of the Ceremonies were dictated by this search for balance.
From, the political subject remained in a very good positionas demonstrated in recent weeks by the problem surrounding the establishment of governance structures between the Northern Alps and the Southern Alps.
Until recently, it was also possible to consider the appointment of a political figure – or at least from civil society – to chair the future Organizing Committee (COJO). A heresy if we look at past attempts for the French Olympic and Paralympic files – Paris 2012 and Annecy 2018 in the lead – and especially at the lessons to be learned from the success of Paris 2024.
In fineit is now certain that the presidency of the COJO will be held by an athlete.
In all likelihood, the match should be played behind the scenes between two biathletes, namely Martin Fourcade, which has recently positioned itselfwith his status as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and President of the Paris 2024 Athletes Commission, and Vincent Jay, key player in the emergence and development of the Games project in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regional sector.
Behind the leader which will embody the French Alps project with the IOC, the International Federations, the State, the Territorial Communities, but also private actors for financing and public opinion for popular support, the other components of governance of the Games must be operational as soon as possible to respect the schedule imposed by the delivery of the Games at the start of 2030.
Earlier this monthtwo Decrees have in this sense made it possible to begin the installation of the Interministerial Delegation to the Olympic and Paralympic Games (DIJOP) and to shape two Committees granting a large role to the Ministries.
(Credits – French Alps 2030)
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Also, by bringing together this Thursday, October 24, 2024 the various actors involved in the Olympic and Paralympic ambition for 2030, namely the representatives of the regional executives and the representatives of the Tricolor Sports Movement, the Prime Minister wished to lay the groundwork for the coming months .
From the Hôtel de Matignon (7th arrondissement of Paris), Michel Barnier and his guests discussed the institutional framework.
For the OCOG, alongside the future President of the body, there should in particular be a Director General and an Executive Board bringing together the parties to the project in a perfect balance between sporting and political actors.
Beyond the Organizing Committee – whose establishment in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is certain, even if the choice of the precise location is still debated – discussions this Thursday also revolved around the Olympic Works Delivery Company (SOLIDEO).
Called to take shape on a model similar to that linked to Paris 2024, this complementary body will be established in Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur, undoubtedly in Marseille (Bouches-du-Rhône), according to the wish expressed by the President of the Region, Renaud Muselier.
More generally, Michel Barnier also took advantage of this summit meeting to convey a message combining the affirmation of an ambition in a territory that is one of the cradles of winter sports and the desire to follow a certain sobriety both on the financial level. as well as on the environmental aspect.
The former Savoyard elected official is in fact well aware that these two key elements of the preparations will be closely scrutinized as preparations accelerate, even more so than for Paris 2024, the model of the Winter Games being specific.
Above all, having in mind the need to engrave in legislative stone an Olympic and Paralympic law during the first quarter of 2025, after signing the State guarantee in this fall of 2024Michel Barnier is also fully aware that he is working today on an ejection seat given the persistent political crisis due to the absence of an absolute majority in the National Assembly and the fragility of the political balance found so far in the center and right of the chessboard.
Also, by imposing his trademark, the man who was co-President of the Organizing Committee for the Albertville 1992 Winter Games intends to guide the actors present as best as possible, with pragmatism, composure and determination.
As if to make a link between the 1992 Olympic Games – which are still considered a model of their kind in the Olympic mysteries today – and the 2030 edition which will necessarily have to shape a new organizational plan to take into account the climate problem, Michel Barnier wants to be able to count on the wise eye of a certain Jean-Claude Killy.
Speech by Jean-Claude Killy during the plenary session on the theme of the Olympic Games at the Olympic Congress, October 3, 2009 (Credits – IOC / R.Juilliart)
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Long-time friends, the two men know each other well having managed the Albertville Games. Recently, they had also met at the Hôtel de Matignon – the Prime Minister’s first non-political meeting since his appointment – and soon, the three-time Olympic Alpine Ski Champion of the 1968 Olympic Games could have a symbolic but nonetheless strong role. relevant in the current context.
At the heart of the future Board of Directors of the French Alps 2030, Jean-Claude Killy could thus occupy a seat as a qualified personality.
This return to the forefront would sound like the ultimate recognition of the former skier’s attachment to the Alpine territory and his commitment to Olympic values, he who was particularly singled out – in France – for his proximity to the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putinwhen he served as Chairman of the Coordination Commission for the Sochi 2014 Winter Games.
With such an arrival, there is no doubt that the mapping of the sites selected to host the 2030 Olympic Games could be impacted, Jean-Claude Killy being a fervent supporter of the integration of Val d’Isère (Savoie) within the system.
His knowledge of the Olympic workings – he who remains highly respected at the IOC despite his retirement from the scene – could also be of valuable use to the organizers of the 2030 Olympics who are already engaged in a time trial event. .
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The upcoming French Alps 2030 Olympic and Paralympic Games have begun to take shape, with Prime Minister Michel Barnier convening key stakeholders on October 24, 2024. This gathering aimed to set the foundation for future organizational efforts, emphasizing collaboration between regional leaders and representatives from the French sports community.
Discussions addressed the establishment of the Organizing Committee (OCOG), which will be based in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, although the exact location remains undecided. Additionally, plans for the Olympic Works Delivery Company (SOLIDEO) were highlighted, likely to be established in Marseille to align with local governance goals.
Barnier reinforced the importance of financial and environmental sustainability in planning the Games, noting that these factors would be critically scrutinized. He highlighted the need for a legal framework supporting the Olympic and Paralympic initiative by the first quarter of 2025, following the anticipated State guarantee in fall 2024.
A key figure in these preparations is Jean-Claude Killy, an iconic figure in winter sports and a former co-President of the Albertville 1992 Games. His potential involvement on the Board of Directors for the French Alps 2030 could lend significant weight to the organization, given his deep connection to the region and experience within the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
As the planning progresses, Killy’s advocacy for integrating Val d’Isère into the Olympic framework could influence venue selection, showcasing the tension between tradition and modern requirements in staging the Winter Games. The forthcoming months will be crucial as stakeholders seek to balance ambition, local interests, and sustainability in hosting the 2030 Games.
