The International Olympic Committee (IOC) awarded the 2030 Winter Games to the French Alps at its General Assembly in Paris on Wednesday. The equally expected choice for the 2034 Winter Games fell on Salt Lake City in the US state of Utah, which had already hosted the 2002 Olympics.
The votes for the two winter events were already considered a formality before the 142nd IOC session, with France ultimately receiving 84 yes votes and four no votes. However, approval was given on the condition that the government and the regional authorities provide the financial and organizational guarantees that are still outstanding. Only then will the hosting contract be signed by the IOC.
France was named the preferred candidate in November. The IOC leadership recommended the award to the General Assembly in June. France has plenty of Olympic experience. Winter Games have taken place in the French Alps in Chamonix (1924), Grenoble (1968) and Albertville (1992). This year, Paris is hosting the summer games for the third time after 1900 and 1924.
Use of existing competition venues
The 2030 Winter Games are planned for the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regions. Several ice competitions are to take place in Nice. The concept envisages the use of existing competition venues almost exclusively.
Due to the political turmoil in France and the early parliamentary elections, the necessary guarantees from the government and authorities for the Winter Games project have recently been delayed. There is currently only a caretaker government. Head of state Emmanuel Macron does not want to appoint a new prime minister until after the Olympics. After the election a good two weeks ago, no political camp has a majority in the National Assembly.
In his speech to the IOC General Assembly, Macron expressed his full support for the candidacy. “I confirm the full commitment of the French nation and assure you that I will ask the next Prime Minister to include not only this guarantee but also an Olympic law among the priorities of the new government,” he said. “Seven years ago, we made the same commitment (for the 2024 Summer Games in Paris) and we delivered. We will do the same,” Macron stressed.
David Lappartient, head of France’s National Olympic Committee, had also previously assured: “Even if there is no majority in parliament, there is a strong majority for the games.” IOC President Thomas Bach reiterated: “We would not vote if we did not have this feeling.”
“Very solid project”
The award was preceded by a final report by ÖOC President Karl Stoss in his capacity as chairman of the “Future Host Commission”, which deals with applications for the Winter Olympics. “French Alps 2030 is a very solid project that benefits from strong public and political support, the proven ability to host high-level sports competitions, excellent venues and the opportunity to benefit from France’s knowledge and experience as host of Paris 2024,” explained Stoss. “During our visit, the commission had the impression that the legacy of Albertville 1992 continues to benefit local communities today,” said the ÖOC boss.
Stoss also had high praise for Salt Lake City’s bid. “This very strong project benefits from extremely high public and political support, and the athletes will benefit from great infrastructure,” promised the Austrian.
The next Winter Games in 2026 will be held in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo in Italy, while Salt Lake City was chosen for 2034. The IOC wants Switzerland to be given preferential treatment for 2038 if it applies again. The Swiss application was rejected by the IOC selection committee early on in the race against France and the USA, as was a Swedish project.
In the long term, the winter spectacle is a problem for the IOC because of climate change. According to researchers’ calculations, only ten countries will have enough snow and ice to host the Winter Games from 2040 onwards.
