Despite an uncontrolled deficit and a gigantic debt, the State is preparing to assume a significant financial commitment so that the 2030 Winter Olympic Games (OG) are held in France, as planned. A first guarantee for a total of 520 million euros should be included in the state budget for 2025, according to a document consulted by The world.
At the end of July, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) awarded the host of the 2030 Winter Olympic Games to the French Alps, which were left alone in the race after the Swiss and Swedish bids were ruled out. This decision, however, is subject to one condition: the State and the regions must offer financial guarantees.
This could have just been a formality. But the dissolution of the National Assembly on June 9 and then the long absence of a new government complicated the situation. The pardoned prime minister at the time of the award, Gabriel Attal, considered it impossible to make such a commitment on behalf of France. As for the President of the Republic, he simply promised “ask the next prime minister to not only include this guarantee but also to enact an Olympic law”.
Since then, the new Prime Minister, Michel Barnier, has had other priorities besides signing the guarantee, which the IOC expected by September 30 at the latest. So much so that the government had to ask for a few more days. “It will be next week, promised the new Minister of Sports, Gil Avérous, on Saturday, September 28, during a trip to Vannes. Maybe not the 1Ahem October, but maybe October 2nd or 3rd. It was discussed with the IOC. » Once signed, the guarantee must be ratified by Parliament before 1Ahem March 2025.
“Positive impact”
Basically, there is little doubt about the support of the State. “The State will provide its financial guarantee for the 2030 Olympic Games, assured Gil Avérous. There is no issue about the State guarantee. » Certainly, public finances are suffering a violent setback and the impact of such an event on the environment raises questions: with global warming, the Winter Games in the Alps risk requiring the use of numerous snow cannons .
But Michel Barnier, co-chairman with Jean-Claude Killy of the Albertville Winter Olympic Games Organizing Committee in 1992, remains a fervent supporter of the Olympic Games, especially after the success of the Paris Summer Games. “The organization of major international sporting events, such as the Olympic and Paralympic Games, is known to have a positive impact on the economy of the host country”, Above all because of the effects on tourism, public authorities add.
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