There was no suspense. Just one question. As planned since last November, the IOC awarded Wednesday July 24, the second day of its 142nd session, the organization of the Winter Games in 2030 to the French Alps. For the first time, the event is not entrusted to a host city, but to two territories, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (AURA) regions.
The victory of the French project was massive and without real dispute. At the time of counting, the IOC counted 84 votes for, 4 against and 7 abstentions. Nothing to say. The French will organize the Winter Games for the fourth time, after Chamonix 1924, Grenoble 1968 and Albertville 1992. Lausanne will entrust them with the Olympic rings only six years after Paris 2024. A year ago, such a scenario seemed simply impossible.
But everything happened very quickly for the project leaders. David Lappartient, the president of the French Olympic committee, recalled at a press conference, once victory had been achieved, that the candidacy of the French Alps had been launched on July 19, 2023. In a year and a few days, the competition was left behind, the deal closed and the Games obtained. “Only one year between start and finish, a record for the Games», noted Laurent Wauquiez, president of the AURA region.
Historical, then. And yet, the French cannot yet declare victory too loudly. Certainly, the IOC session came out overwhelmingly in favor of the French Alps project. But the host city contract, signed by the French side, has not yet been countersigned by the IOC. It will not be so as long as the Prime Minister's letter of commitment on state guarantees is missing from the file.
The IOC had warned: the awarding of the 2030 Winter Games, Wednesday July 24, would be conditional. It will become definitive once you have provided the precious document. The French have obtained a deadline: October 1, 2024 to provide the State guarantee, March 1, 2025 at the latest to have it ratified by Parliament.
Possible ? David Lappartient believes so. “The IOC does not like to take risks, he explained. Thomas Bach is convinced that we will obtain this guarantee. » The political situation isn't helping, but the current uncertainty won't last forever. And David Lappartient suggested it: “The recent election for the presidency of the National Assembly demonstrated this: the notion of majority is no longer what it was. We should be able to get enough for the 2030 Winter Games."
With such a delay, the project leaders seem safe from disaster. The IOC will not change its mind, especially since potential private partners are already rushing to the door. David Lappartient told the media: “ We have received more than a hundred letters from companies, some involved with Paris 2024, interested in the 2030 Winter Games. Several of them have an international dimension. »
With a project put together in less than a year, the French will not have too many five years and seven months before the Games to prepare their case, and above all to cross out one by one the questions that still arise.
Topping the list is the speed skating ice oval. France does not have any. And there is no longer any question, since the launch of the IOC Agenda 2020+5, of building one for the Games. David Lappartient explained it: three options are being studied.
The first consists of using a temporary structure, subject to finding one with the dimensions and requirements of the discipline. Not won in advance. And above all very expensive. At least 20 million euros, probably more.
Second solution: turn to Italy and use the Turin ring, built for the Winter Games in 2006. Discussions began with the mayor of the city. The renovation of the equipment is estimated at 9,7 million euros. The bill would be paid by the Italians. Always good to take.
Finally, the project leaders are also studying the possibility of relocating the events to the Netherlands, on an existing track. The final decision is expected by the IOC no later than the end of 2024.
Another question: Val d’Isère. Dismissed in the final file submitted to the IOC, the Savoyard station could find its place again. Laurent Wauquiez does not budge: “ Without Val d'Isère, the Winter Games would not be those of the French Alps. » Its return to the game could make it possible to reduce the very busy program in Courchevel, where part of the alpine skiing, ski jumping and Nordic combined are currently planned, and to increase ticket sales. But an additional site would increase costs. Not simple, then.
For the rest, it seems certain that SOLIDEO, in charge of long-term works, will be domiciled in the PACA region, in the city of Marseille. The COJO, for its part, will settle in the AURA region. Most certainly in Lyon.
