03 December 2025 - Few places embody the spirit of winter sports like the French Alps. From its legendary slopes to the iconic Olympic moments witnessed there, the region has long been a destination for athletes and fans alike. Over the last three days, it has also hosted the first meeting of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission for the Olympic Winter Games in 2030.
Key facts
- The IOC Coordination Commission completed its first visit to the French Alps 2030 sites, confirming strong progress only 16 months after the host’s election.
- The Games will combine the region’s winter sports heritage with innovation, sustainability and a decentralised delivery model.
- French Alps 2030 will showcase how mountain regions can prepare for the future through sustainable practices and inclusive development.
Preparations for the Games have advanced at a quick pace, with steady progress achieved following last year’s host election. The French Alps 2030 organisers have managed to craft an ambitious vision for a new chapter in Winter Olympic history, combining deep-rooted tradition with forward-thinking innovation.
During its visit this week to one of the Games’ two host regions, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, the Coordination Commission praised the project for its unique approach: building on the Alps’ historic role in winter sports while embracing the aspirations and challenges of the future.
Pierre-Olivier Beckers-Vieujant, Chair of the Coordination Commission, described the concept: “Here in the French Alps we are talking about an exemplary project, relying extensively on existing infrastructure. This responsible approach fully aligns with the ambitions, realities and challenges of the host territories. It demonstrates the collective will to design great Games that are sustainable, financially responsible and respectful of their environment.”
French Alps 2030 Organising Committee President Edgar Grospiron added: This first visit by the IOC Coordination Commission was a great success, allowing us to showcase the strengths of our project, with its exceptional venues and a very strong desire for the Games throughout the country. We have thus laid the foundations for collaborative work for the next four years to once again have successful Games in 2030 .”
Tradition at the heart of the Games
The tradition is unmistakable. The Games will return to a region where winter sports are part of the local DNA, supported by passionate communities, committed stakeholders and world-class venues that host international-level events on an annual basis. The Commission’s visits to iconic sites in the Savoie and Haute-Savoie clusters – Val-d'Isère, La Plagne, Courchevel, La Clusaz and Le Grand-Bornand – highlighted remarkable local expertise, driven by teams deeply rooted in their territories and committed to the success of the Games.
Innovation shaping the future
At the same time, innovation is also an important driver: a decentralised Organising Committee structure will bring decision-making on delivery closer to local territories. This model will allow the Games to respond to local aspirations while showcasing how mountain regions can adapt and prepare for the future through sustainable practices and inclusive development, making French Alps 2030 a shared, co-created project.
Innovation also extends to sustainability and social responsibility. The recent launch of the Games social, economic and environmental charter builds on the positive experience of Paris 2024, amplifying its impact and ensuring the Games respond to the needs of communities and the environment.
A sports-centred approach is reinforced through the newly formed Athletes’ Commission, giving athletes a voice from the outset and ensuring their perspective shapes the event.
A team blending experience and fresh energy
The Organising Committee executive team, led by President Edgar Grospiron and Chief Executive Officer Cyril Linette, is now complete and reflects this modern vision. Its dynamic composition combines experience from Paris 2024 with expertise from public and private sectors, creating fresh energy and new ideas. Local stakeholders and institutions have shown strong engagement, ensuring the Games will be co-created and widely shared.
Throughout the visit, this engagement was demonstrated by the presence of France’s Minister of Sports, Youth and Community Life, Marina Ferrari, the Presidents of the two host regions, Fabrice Pannekoucke (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes) and Renaud Muselier (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur), mayors from all the cities visited, sports clubs representatives and a mix of local and celebrated athletes, including three-time Olympic champion and IOC Honorary Member Jean-Claude Killy.
Honouring the past, looking to the future
After the observation programme and Olympic flag handover at the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in February, all eyes will turn to Albertville on 23 February. The city, which hosted the Olympic Winter Games in 1992, will welcome the Olympic flag and the French team from Milano Cortina 2026 in a moment rich with symbolism. This celebration of France’s proud winter sports heritage will also signal a clear shift towards the future, as preparations for French Alps 2030 move into high gear.
The French Alps 2030 Olympic Winter Games will take place from 1 to 17 February, followed by the Paralympic Winter Games from 1 to 10 March.
