The schedule set by the French Alps 2030 is struggling to be met, and unfortunately, we're starting to get used to it. The Games Organizing Committee was supposed to be formed in December, then at the beginning of February. However, it wasn't formed until February 18th. Its general director was supposed to take office in March. Confirmation of Cyril Linette's choice was finally expected on Monday, April 7th… but we will have to wait another week. With less than five years to go until the Games, these repeated delays logically raise questions.
Two months of uncertainty
Edgar Grospiron has made the appointment of the CEO one of his priorities in order to be able to take concrete action. According to L'Equipe, the profile of Jean-Francois Vilotte stood out from the crowd, but the Director General of the French Football Federation had declined la proposal. On March 14, the executive board therefore decided to extend the recruitment process for “effectively structure the COJOP”This weekend again, Edgar Grospiron showed his confidence in a rapid officialization. "I've laid the foundations for my office. And the CEO is in the recruitment phase. The person has been identified, and they will be presented to the executive committee on Monday, April 7, and if the executive committee approves, we'll be able to announce them and then begin recruiting.", he explained this weekend on France 3.
The COJOP executive board did indeed meet on Monday, but without releasing the white smoke. "Scheduling constraints did not allow for all the meetings and consultations to be completed prior to the Executive Board meeting. The COJOP President is keen to ensure time for real, direct and constructive exchange with each stakeholder before formalizing such a strategic appointment for the success of the Games.", we learned in the evening. The announcement will therefore be made at the inauguration of the SOLIDEO headquarters in Marseille on April 14. Almost two months after the launch of COJOP...
The long search for consensus
According to information from L'Equipe, the profile of Cyril Linette, clearly a choice of Edgar Grospiron, arouses "some reluctance » among other stakeholders. The COJOP president will therefore have to continue to exchange and argue, to convince everyone to follow in his wake. To add to this far from ideal context, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region has postponed the vote on an initial contribution to the COJOP's operating costs. "We didn't want to validate our €500.000 contribution because we need to be in line with the COJOP regarding the fulfillment of our commitments. At this stage, things are not stable.", justified the president of the region, Fabrice Pannecoucke, end of March.
The mobilization of Paris 2024 resources will "save a lot of time and move forward efficiently » on a number of issues, said Sports Minister Marie Barsacq, but the COJOP must quickly get into action. Among the upcoming deadlines, the site map must be finalized before June 23. Edgar Grospiron was expecting a field of moguls, he should not be disappointed.
