Lyon occupies a key position in the French Alps 2030 Olympic and Paralympic Games project. The capital of Gaul was chosen to host the headquarters of the Games Organizing Committee, due to its geographical location and accessibility, by train or plane, for all stakeholders. This choice was not unanimous, as the city does not embody winter sports and is far from future competition venues. However, this could change if we are to believe RMC since ice hockey could be moved.
"An exorbitant cost"
For now, hockey matches are planned at the Allianz Riviera. Opened in 2013, the stadium is a gem that Nice is working to maximize. It has already hosted five French men's football matches, matches at Euro 2016, the 2019 Women's World Cup, and the 2023 Rugby World Cup, as well as concerts by Rihanna, Céline Dion, and The Weeknd. The stadium would be temporarily converted during the Games to house two ice rinks. This project raises certain questions, raised by MP Eric Ciotti in a letter addressed to Edgar Grospiron.
"The transformation of this sports arena into an ice rink will prevent several OGC Nice matches from taking place.", in Ligue 1 and potentially in the European Cup, which would come "penalize" the club "in the middle of the season, for at least four months"An argument which perhaps stems firstly from a political calculation since Ciotti is expected to run for mayor of Nice in 2026. On the other hand, the MP also points out "an exorbitant cost of several tens of millions of euros" and believes that this installation would not meet "to the essential rigorous management of public funds". A much more audible argument for OCOG. Edgar Grospiron promised to apply the advice given by Jean-Claude Killy: “State money is sacred, spend every euro as if your life depended on it.” Since his appointment, the OCOG president has reiterated his commitment to cost control and budget compliance. Hence the possibility that ice hockey will ultimately be held in Lyon.
Lyon mayor ready to “do his part”
The LDLC Arena is therefore a plan B according to RMC Sport, which specifies that "the transformation of the hall into a hockey version would cost "well under 10 million euros" with all other costs, including rental."An added bonus: the venue will already have experience hosting ice hockey matches during the 2028 World Championships. The city's mayor, Grégory Doucet, had also expressed his interest in the 2030 Winter Games last summer on Lyon 1ère radio, saying he was ready for "Lyon takes its share" in this big meeting.
"We already have some experience in organizing major events. I love big events; last year we hosted the Rugby World Cup, and this year the 2024 Olympic Games... We love hosting major sporting events in Lyon and making sure they are the most responsible and inclusive", he proclaimed. The kind of speech that will undoubtedly please Edgar Grospiron. Lyon is certainly not the best-placed city to embody the "Mountain Games." But the OCOG, which has accepted the idea of relocating speed skating abroad, will be able to demonstrate pragmatism. One obstacle would remain, and not the least: convincing Renaud Muselier, the president of the region, and Christian Estrosi, the mayor of Nice, who are unlikely to be thrilled by this idea.
