THE BLOG

Winter Olympics 2030: French Alps Bid Selected

The French Alps bid for the 2030 Winter Olympics has been selected by the IOC on Wednesday, July 24.
Nice will host the ice events and the closing ceremony.
he project emphasizes the use of existing infrastructure and economic sustainability.

On July 24, 2024, the French Alps bid for the 2030 Winter Olympics was officially selected by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This announcement marks a historic step for the Nice Côte d’Azur region and the French Alps.

Christian Estrosi announced today on Linkedin: “The Winter Olympics #AlpesFrancaises2030 are a reality! This is fantastic news for Nice, the Sud – Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region, and all of France, which will shine again after Paris 2024. Thank you to the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF) for their unwavering support.”

Infrastructure and Sports Events in Nice

Nice will host the entire ice pole and the closing ceremony. The Allianz Riviera will be transformed into a temple of ice hockey, with two ice rinks and over 30,000 seats for 75 matches.

The Palais Nikaïa will host 150 curling matches. In total, Nice will host:

75 ice hockey matches
150 curling matches
16 figure skating sessions
9 short-track events

This concentration of ice events will make Nice a center of excellence for winter sports, enhancing its touristic and sporting appeal.

A Lasting Legacy for Nice

The #AlpesFrancaises2030 will leave a lasting legacy for Nice:

An Olympic village of 1,500 beds that will later become student and social housing, addressing the city’s housing needs.
A new 5,000-seat ice rink for figure skating and short-track will remain permanently, providing the people of Nice and the region’s athletes with state-of-the-art facilities for years to come.

These infrastructures will contribute to Nice’s economic and sporting development well beyond 2030.

A Model of Sustainable and Efficient Management

The economic strategy of the French Alps bid stands out for its rigor and sustainability. By focusing on cost reduction and optimizing existing infrastructure, this project embodies a new vision of Olympic Games management, focused on economy of means and community integration.

Expected Economic Benefits

The expected economic benefits, although not quantified yet, should be significant. The event will help enhance existing infrastructure and attract a significant tourist influx, thereby stimulating the local and regional economy.

The official announcement of this decision by the IOC before the opening of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games is a moment of pride for the Côte d’Azur and the French Alps, heralding a new era of prosperity and international prominence for the region.