French Cities Vie for 2018 Winter Olympics
The 2018 winter Olympic committee held its first meeting on Monday in Montgenèvre. The committee which was created exactly one year ago is increasingly backing Gap's candidature. The town is located on the French-Italian border, in the Haute Alpes region, close to the resorts of Briançon and Serre Chevalier.
France's candidature for the 2018 Games depends heavily on the International Olympic Committee's choice of host city for the 2014 Olympics, a decision which is due to be made on 7th July. On the shortlist of three is Salzburg in Austria, Sochi in Russia and the South Korean city of Pyeongchang. If one of the European locations is ultimately selected there will be little chance of the Olympics remaining on the continent for a second consecutive Games. A meeting in Gap, similar to that held during the Tour De France last summer, when hundreds of people gathered in the town's sports stadium to form a giant 2018, is due to take place on the day of the verdict.
Another important revelation to come out of Monday's meeting was the extent to which the Italians, who hosted the Turin 2006 Games, are prepared to lend their support to the French bid. The mayors of the Italian resorts of Claviere, Cesana and Bardonecchia have declared their willingness to put human resources and facilities at the disposal of the French. The bobsleigh run at Cesana, for example, is conveniently located just 30km from Briançon and Serre Chevalier.
The commitment of the Italians to support their French neighbour certainly lends weight to Gap's argument, however, competition from within the country cannot be ignored. Annecy will, in all probability, be following up its failed bid for the 2014 Games with renewed vigour and Grenoble is also keen to host the event, particularly since the Olympic flame passed through the city last year, attracting an enormous crowd.
Source: Le Dauphiné Liberé
