The IOC chooses the Olympic host - Winter Games 2030 in French Alps - 2034 in Salt Lake
The French Alps will host the Winter Games 2030, four years later, Salt Lake City will be the host again, as decided by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) during its General Assembly before the Summer Games in Paris. The IOC's approval for France came with the condition that the government and local authorities guarantee the financial and organizational commitments. Only then will the host contract be signed by the IOC.
The bids of the two contenders, who will also host the Paralympics, were considered a foregone conclusion before the 142nd IOC session, as there were no opposing candidates. The projects from France and the USA were designated preferred candidates in November. The IOC leadership had recommended the nod in June at the General Assembly. Salt Lake City in the US state of Utah is hosting for the second time after 2002.
France already has ample Olympic experience. Winter Games in the French Alps have taken place in Chamonix (1924), Grenoble (1968), and Albertville (1992). Paris is hosting for the third time after 1900 and 1924 as a Summer host.
Macron assures IOC: "You can trust us"
Planned for Winter Games 2030 are the regions Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Several ice events are planned for Nice. The concept mostly involves the use of existing competition venues.
Political turbulence in France and the advance parliamentary elections caused a delay in the necessary guarantees from the government and authorities for the Winter Games project. Currently, there is only an interim government. French President Emmanuel Macron will appoint a new prime minister only after the Olympics. In the National Assembly, no political faction has a majority after the election two weeks ago.
David Lappartient, head of France's National Olympic Committee, had previously assured: "Even if there is no majority in the parliament, there is a strong majority for the Games." IOC President Thomas Bach confirmed: "We would not vote if we did not feel this way." Macron reiterated on the IOC stage: "You can trust us, we will be there," Macron said. The Ring of Five voted in favor of the bid with a large majority.
France will thus be the host for an Olympic spectacle again in just under five and a half years. Similarly, in the USA, Salt Lake City will follow the Summer Games in Los Angeles 2028.
Switzerland could be the host in 2038
The next Winter Games 2026 will take place in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. For 2038, Switzerland is expected to receive preference if it reapplies, according to the IOC. The Swiss bid, like the Swedish project, received an early rejection from the IOC selection commission. A German Winter Games bid had previously been with Munich for 2022, but it failed due to public opposition.
Long-term, the Winter Spectacle is a problem area for the IOC due to climate change. Only ten countries, according to calculations by researchers from 2040, will still be snowy and icy enough for Winter Games.
- The International Olympic Committee (IOC) selected Chamonix in the French Alps as the host for the Winter Games 2030, following their decision during the General Assembly before the Summer Games in Paris.
- The bids from France and the USA were considered favourable, as there were no opposing candidates, with the IOC heavily favouring the projects presented in November.
- Salt Lake City in Utah, USA, will host the Winter Games for the second time, having previously hosted in 2002.
- France has a rich Olympic history, having hosted Winter Games in Chamonix (1924), Grenoble (1968), and Albertville (1992), as well as Summer Games in Paris (1900) and Paris (1924).
- Emmanuel Macron, the French President, reassured the IOC, stating, "You can trust us," during the bid process for the Winter Games 2030.
- The Winter Games 2030 will involve regions such as Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, with several ice events planned for Nice.
- Switzerland could potentially host the Winter Games in 2038 if it reapplies, according to the IOC's plans.
- Climate change poses a long-term challenge for the Winter Spectacle, with only ten countries predicted to be suitable for hosting Winter Games by 2040, based on research calculations.
