France will host even more Olympic action this decade with the country chosen to stage the 2030 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
Ahead of the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony this Friday (26 July), the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that the French Alps will host the 2030 edition of the Winter Games.
The vote was held at the 142nd IOC Session in Paris, although the IOC states that the process was complicated by the political situation in France, which delayed the submission of the Games Delivery Guarantee.
This is a guarantee by the legislature of the country hosting the games that it is willing and capable of doing so. France held parliamentary elections between 30 June-7 July, with significant changes resulting in collective leadership under the New Popular Front (NFP) coalition.
France’s Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal, subsequently submitted his resignation, but will remain as head of a caretaker government. Either he or his replacement has until 1 October to issue the Games Deliver Guarantee to the IOC, which must be verified by the French parliament by no later than 1 March 2025.
IOC President, Thomas Bach, said: “President Macron and all stakeholders in French Alps 2030 have today reiterated their full commitment to the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games 2030.
“We have full confidence in France to organise an outstanding edition of the Olympic Winter Games, with the same creativity, imagination and flair we are currently experiencing at Paris 2024.”
The choice of the French Alps to host the 2030 Winter Games received strong support from IOC delegates in Paris. There were 84 yes votes, four no votes and seven abstentions, out of a total of 88 valid votes.
The spectacle of the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics may have helped sway delegates’ opinions. The Games’ opening ceremony is scheduled for tomorrow, but some events such as football are already underway.
Although some concerns were raised about how the Games would unfold after French President Emmanuel Macron called a surprise election last month, the tournament appears to be going off without a hitch.
As with other sporting events, Paris 2024 has garnered extensive media and sponsorship interests, with a record number of broadcast partners signed. French organisers may be hoping for a repeat of this success in the Alps in six years time.
David Lappartient, President of the French National Olympic Committee (CNOSF), said: “I am proud and happy that the IOC has chosen the French Alps candidature to host the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games 2030.
“For several months now, we and the athletes have shared a collective ambition to offer simpler, responsible and inclusive Games, in line with the challenges of our times and the IOC’s Olympic Agenda 2020+5.
“Supported by the expertise of France and our communities in terms of organising major international events, we shall continue to work together to build the Games of tomorrow, for our young people and for the benefit of Olympism, winter sports and the mountains. The challenge is huge, but we are ready to take it on!”
