The International Olympic Committee has chosen to hold targeted discussions exclusively with the French Alps, the only candidates to host the 2030 Winter Olympics, after ruling out the Swiss and Swedish bids.

The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur regions will host competitions divided into four clusters, with biathlon in Haute-Savoie and ice sports in Nice (Alpes-Maritimes).

The preference for the French Alps is based on the pre-existing major infrastructure inherited from the 1992 Albertville Olympic Games, where 95% of the venues are already operational. A case in point is La Plagne in Savoie, which will be designated as an Olympic venue thanks to its bobsleigh and luge track, which was already in use at the 1992 Games.

The commitment of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regions to carbon neutrality and the re-use of existing infrastructure is perfectly in line with the shared vision of the French government and territories, focused on a more sustainable approach to tourism.

This news, coming just weeks after the Rugby World Cup and in the run-up to Paris 2024, reinforces France's reputation as a preferred destination for hosting major international events. The final decision will be officially announced in July 2024.