When Henri Serandour, head of the French Olympic Committee, announced Annecy was selected in the first round over Grenoble, Nice and Pelvoux to be France’s candidate for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games, Annecy supporters reportedly shouted with delight at the announcement.
In a postal vote Annecy received 23 of the votes from the 42 French Olympic Committee members, Nice received 10, Grenoble got nine votes but there were no votes for Pelvoux. A majority was needed for a victory.
The Associated Press reports although Annecy not as well known as Grenoble, it has enjoyed large popular support as a potential Olympic city. With the Alps soaring above its pristine lake Annecy is considered a picture perfect site for the Games.
Annecy reportedly has a well-developed proposal that includes skiing in three major ski areas nearby including the slopes of Mont Blanc, which hosted the world’s first Winter Games in Chamonix in 1924. France has also hosted national ice skating championships in Annecy and the skating facilities are well developed. The international airport at Geneva is a half hour away and there are frequent high-speed TGV train connections with Paris, reports the Associated Press.
After announcing the results of the vote Serandour expressed his sympathy for Grenoble, Nice and Pelvoux and congratulated Annecy. He called it a beautiful day for French sport and said the result was not only political, but also economic and social for the country.
While saying everyone has a chance to host the 2018 Winter Games, Serandour said it would be a surprise if France was selected.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Jean Claude Killy, chairman of the IOC’s Coordination Commission for the Winter Games who participated in the vote, said he told his colleagues that any of the four bid cities could organize the Games, adding that although each of the bids were very different they were all very good.
He said Annecy has several advantages but the competition will be very strong and it will be a race very difficult to win.
