French Alps, Salt Lake City 'preferred hosts' for Olympics

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Wednesday confirmed the French Alps and Salt Lake City as the sole candidates to host the 2030 and 2034 Winter Games.

Karl Stoss, head of the IOC's future host commission, said Olympic chiefs would now move into "targeted dialogue" with the two candidates.

"The IOC will now start more detailed discussions with the preferred hosts, led by their National Olympic Committees (NOCs), with the aim of awarding both editions at the 142nd IOC Session in July in Paris," the IOC said.

The French bid moved forward at the expense of the two other candidates, Sweden and Switzerland. Only Salt Lake City in Utah in the United States has launched a bid to host the 2034 Games.

France, which welcomes the Summer Olympics in 2024, has hosted the Winter Games three times: Chamonix in 1924, Grenoble in 1968 and Albertville in 1992.

Salt Lake City hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics.

The bid for the 2030 Games is based around Meribel, Courchevel and Val d'Isere for Alpine skiing while La Clusaz would host Nordic events. The Olympic village would be in the Mediterranean city of Nice, which would host skating events.

"Innovative, sustainable and inclusive Games which will make France and its mountains shine. What pride!" France President Emmanuel Macron said on X, formerly Twitter.

David Lappartient, head of the French National Olympic Committee, added: "What gives us pleasure is to not only be in a targeted dialogue but that we are there alone.

"What we have achieved as a step today is a huge step. It's a huge step forward for French sport."

AFP