Image caption:

The French Mediterranean city of Nice will be one of the venues for the 2030 Winter Olympics. (c) ermandogan_canva.com

After Milan-Cortina 2026 in Italy, the next Winter Olympics in 2030 will most likely take place in the French Alps. The International Olympic Committee decided against Switzerland’s bid at the end of November. Switzerland had applied with 13 locations and a concept focused on sustainability and low costs. Instead, the IOC is now conducting a “targeted dialogue” with the bidders from France. The indoor competitions in figure skating, ice hockey, speed skating and curling are to take place in the Mediterranean city of Nice, while the Alpine competitions will be held in the French Alps.

“France should seize this opportunity to host the first truly sustainable Winter Olympics, in close cooperation with Alpine conservation organisations such as CIPRA”, says Gilles Chappaz, President of CIPRA France. The social, financial and environmental impact of the Olympic Games has not yet been taken into account. The protection and sustainable development of mountain areas must take centre stage, says Chappaz. “It’s a difficult task, but we have to try!”

In a joint statement, 20 NGOs and over 100 individuals are calling for the Winter Olympics in France to take planetary boundaries into account and be of benefit to the regional population. They do not want any unnecessary flights, helicopter missions or car journeys: instead, 80 per cent of the sports venues should be accessible by public transport, waste should be avoided and there should be as little new construction as possible.

Sources and further information:

www.sueddeutsche.de/sport/olympia-winterspiele-2030-austragung-1.6311637 (de), www.srf.ch/sport/mehr-sport/ioc-bevorzugt-frankreich-schweizer-olympia-plaene-fuer-2030-erleiden-schiffbruch (de), www.sportschau.de/olympia/schweiz-will-olympische-winterspiele-100.html (de) www.euronews.com/2023/11/30/french-alps-and-mediterranean-coast-surprise-frontrunners-to-host-2030-winter-olympic-game (en), www.ledauphine.com/societe/2023/11/30/mountain-riders-appelle-a-la-vigilance (fr), https://protectourwinters.fr/jo-2030-en-france-pas-a-nimporte-quel-prix/ (fr), http://www.olympia-nein.ch/go/aktuelles/meldungen/nichts.php (de)