The French Alps are set to host the XXVI Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games 2030.
This decision was taken by the IOC Members Monday during the 142nd IOC Session Paris. Their vote was subject to the submission of the Games Delivery Guarantee under timelines set by the IOC Executive Board, since this was not possible before the host election due to constitutional reasons in the current political context in France.
The Games Delivery Guarantee should be received from the Prime Minister at the latest by 1 October 2024 and should be ratified by the French Parliament no later than 1 March 2025.
The delegation of the French Alps 2030 was led by the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, who expressed the full commitment of France to these Games. It also included the presidents of the two regions where the Games will be held, Laurent Wauquiez of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Renaud Muselier of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, and the presidents of the French Olympic and Paralympic Committees, David Lappartient and Marie-Amélie Le Fur.
There was a final report by Karl Stoss, IOC Member and chair of the Future Host Commission for the Olympic Winter Games, the IOC body responsible for monitoring and analysing interest in hosting the Olympic Winter Games and Winter Youth Olympic Games.
Stoss said: “French Alps 2030 is a very solid project that benefits from strong public and political support, proven ability to deliver high-level sports competitions, excellent venues, and opportunities to capitalise on the knowledge and experience of France hosting Paris 2024.
“During our visit, the Commission felt that the legacy of Albertville 1992 continues to benefit local communities today. The vision of French Alps 2030 to stage responsible and sustainable Games, open to all, was very clear in our meetings with athletes, sports leaders and public authorities. French Alps 2030 has all the elements required to deliver successful Games.”
French Alps 2030 – known as Alpes françaises 2030 across the French-speaking world – aims to unite the north and south French Alps and make them a hub for winter sport, to bring maximum social and economic benefits to their communities.
It will be the first edition of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games to fully integrate the principles of Olympic Agenda 2020 and 2020+5, as well as new requirements on sustainability set by the IOC’s Olympic Host Contract.
The finalisation of the Games Delivery Guarantee remains open for constitutional reasons in France, following the national election.
While French Alps 2030 submitted a signed copy of the Olympic Host Contract prior to the IOC Session, the IOC will not counter sign it until the Games Delivery Guarantee is received, at the latest by 1 October 2024, and ratified by the French Parliament no later than 1 March 2025.
There were 84 ‘yes’ votes for French Alps 2030 by the IOC Members, 4 ‘no’ votes and 7 abstentions, out of 88 valid votes.
The 142nd IOC Session also approved the initial sports programme for the Olympic Winter Games 2030, as proposed by the IOC executive board. The seven sports – biathlon, bobsleigh, curling, ice hockey, luge, skating and skiing – will be governed by the relevant Winter International Sports Federations (IFs) listed in the Olympic Charter. There will be a new step to determine the disciplines in each sport approximately five years before the Games.
