The lights are turning green, one after another. Following a successful IOC session, which confirmed ski mountaineering's place on the program, the board of directors of the French Alps 2030 bid approved the map of venues for the upcoming Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games on Monday. The key takeaway: all competition venues will be less than three hours from Lyon (except for Heerenveen, which will host speed skating).
Three sites in the Lyon metropolitan area, the athletes' village still unknown
As expected, these Games will be spread across four hubs: the Lyon metropolitan area, Haute-Savoie (Le Grand-Bornand, La Clusaz), Savoie (La Plagne, Val d'Isère, Courchevel), and the Briançonnais region (Serre-Chevalier, Montgenèvre). The map presented on Monday confirms the Lyon venues: ice hockey will take place at the LDLC Arena and the Chassieu Exhibition Center. Subject to approval by the International Federations (IFs), an ice rink will also be set up at the Halle Tony Garnier, which will host figure skating, curling, and short track speed skating. The Paralympic events will be distributed between the Chassieu Exhibition Center, La Clusaz, and Courchevel. Ua compact map of venues, with an enhanced Olympic and Paralympic experience for all stakeholders (athletes, partners, media…) "The COJOP emphasizes this in its press release. CNOSF President Amélie Oudéa-Castéra welcomed a major step forward and is pleased to see that Important steps are being taken. ».
Two unknowns remain. The first: the accommodation for athletes whose events will take place in Lyon. Several options are on the table: the Confluence district, the Gerland district, as well as neighboring towns such as Oullins-Pierre-Bénite, Bron, and Décines. No decision is expected before the start of the academic year. Another question mark: the locations for the opening and closing ceremonies. The Groupama Stadium is being considered, with the advantage of a large ticket capacity (59.000 seats), as is the Serre-Ponçon lake (Hautes-Alpes), which would help to (slightly) rebalance the territorial distribution between the two regions. Renaud Muselier also stated that he would explore the possibility of Marseille and the Stade Vélodrome, with the idea of making a nod to the arrival of the Olympic flame in the Phocaean City in 2024.
"Alpes 2030 is moving forward methodically and humbly."
In recent days, the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee (COJOP) has achieved a significant victory with the green light from the IOC Session for ski mountaineering, reinforced by the addition of the individual event. After the firm "no" received for cyclo-cross and trail running, this time Edgar Grospiron's vision has prevailed. Ski mountaineering is at home in the Alps. Its inclusion in the Alps 2030 program is a tremendous recognition for this sport and for all those who make it possible., greeted the president of COJOP. I thank the IOC members for their confidence. This decision perfectly reflects our ambition: to offer Games deeply rooted in their territory, open to the evolution of winter sports and looking towards the future. »
« That's exactly what was needed., reacted Thibault Anselmet, a double medalist in February. The introduction of the individual race, an event comprising several off-piste ascents and descents lasting approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, will allow us to fully showcase the different disciplines within our sport. The individual race is the flagship event of ski mountaineering. I sincerely thank the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee, Edgar Grospiron, and our French Federation for their work towards this goal. "The full program will be finalized in July. Main issues: maintaining the Nordic combined and the parallel giant slalom snowboard events, as well as the possible introduction of freeride."
Announcements from the first partners are also expected shortly, in order to begin moving towards the target of 590 million euros. The last few months have not been easy, recognized Edgar Grospiron during the IOC Session. We have navigated a world full of obstacles. We must now move forward in the right direction with a clear framework, transparent decisions, and commitments kept. Alpes 2030 is progressing methodically, humbly, and with determination, driven by the desire to build Games that are true to the Alps and to what the Games of tomorrow should be. »
