The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed progress in organizing the 2030 Winter Olympics—to be held in the French Alps—and approved the updated sports venue plan following Nice’s withdrawal as a host city.
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The assessment took place during the second annual meeting of the IOC Coordination Commission for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The meeting followed a change in the executive committee’s leadership and occurred amidst a restructuring of the Alps 2030 Organizing Committee.
The body, led by Kirsty Coventry, reported that the project has a defined vision, an established sports program, and consolidated financial planning. Pierre-Olivier Beckers-Vieujant, Chair of the IOC Coordination Commission, stated that the organizing committee has made significant progress across various areas of the project.
“We have seen the Organizing Committee make significant progress in all aspects of the project (…) These Games now have a clear vision, a striking visual identity, an attractive sports program, an optimized venue plan, and a solid economic foundation,” noted Beckers-Vieujant, according to the Olympic body’s statement.
He added that the working teams are growing and strengthening, and are in an excellent position to move from strategy to detailed operational planning and active engagement.
JO Alpes 2030 : le CIO salue « les progrès accomplis », les épreuves de ski alpin partagées entre Courchevel et Val d’Isère
https://t.co/yflRoNkaTV pic.twitter.com/VXiJA6kcW7
— Le Parisien | JO
(@leparisien2024) September 16, 2026
The text reads, “2030 Winter Olympics: The IOC applauds the “progress made” and the hosting of alpine skiing events jointly by Courchevel and Val d’Isère.”
Lyon Replaces Nice
During the meeting, the venues where Lyon will host ice sports competitions were defined. The city will host ice hockey, curling, figure skating, and short-track speed skating events.
Lyon is taking on this role after Nice withdrew from the project. The change followed the refusal of its mayor, conservative Éric Ciotti, to install an ice rink in the city’s football stadium.
The IOC also ratified the distribution of alpine skiing events. Courchevel will host the speed events—downhill and super-G—while Val d’Isère will host the technical events: giant slalom and slalom.
Joining these venues are the departments of Haute-Savoie and Savoie, the city of Briançon, and the Dutch town of Heerenveen, where the speed skating events will take place.
Changes to the organizing committee
The Alpes 2030 organizing body recently faced the resignation of Edgar Grospiron as president of the Organizing Committee. The former freestyle skier and 1992 Albertville Olympic champion stepped down on the 10th following tensions surrounding the project.
Grospiron had assumed the presidency in February 2025, following the withdrawal of Martin Fourcade, one of France’s most decorated winter athletes.
Vincent Roberti is now serving as interim president while retaining his role as CEO. Roberti stated that the IOC visit allowed for an assessment of the project’s progress and strengthened confidence in the organizing committee.
“This second annual visit by IOC teams provided an opportunity to observe the tangible progress of the Alpes 2030 project and to reinforce confidence in the Organizing Committee’s ability to deliver spectacular Games that meet ambitious sustainability standards,” he declared.
The 2030 Winter Olympics will be the first to take place under a gender-equal program. Having defined the sports venues, the organizing committee must now draw up the competition schedule, select locations for the opening and closing ceremonies, and establish ticketing criteria.
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More than 400 torchbearers will carry the flame through all 14 regions before the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics.… pic.twitter.com/yqGa1CUj5J— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) September 16, 2026
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