Meeting in a plenary assembly on April 23, the South Region adopted two measures to support its high-level athletes and assist its businesses in preparation for the major upcoming Olympic events. This is both a sporting and economic commitment, as the French Alps will host the Winter Games in 2030.
At six years before the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in the French Alps, the South Region has voted on a plan to support its champions and to structure its economic fabric. Two components were presented during the Plenary Assembly on April 23: a support program for athletes and a partnership agreement with the regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
On the sporting side, two measures will begin in 2025. The first, called “Champs of the South”, is aimed at already confirmed high-level athletes. It provides for aid of up to €10,000 per person. The second measure, “Olympic and Paralympic Team of the South”, is aimed at athletes preparing for upcoming international competitions. Each athlete will receive a grant of €3,000.
In total, 89 athletes will benefit from this financial support to prepare for the Milan-Cortina Games in 2026, the Los Angeles Games in 2028, and then the 2030 Winter Games in the French Alps. This support is part of a broader plan dedicated to the development of mountain sports during the 2025-2030 period.
For the president of the Region, this support is essential: “behind every medal, there is a story, a territory, and support. The South Region is proud to stand alongside its champions in this Olympic adventure, from training to the finish line.”
This measure is also part of a political effort to make sport a tool for cohesion and influence within the region. It complements other actions already undertaken within the framework of the regional strategy for high-level sport.
A Convention for an Economy Adapted to Olympic Challenges
The Region has also confirmed the signing of a convention with the CCI Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. Valid from 2025 to 2028, the agreement aims to support businesses amid ongoing economic and ecological transformations.
Three priorities have been announced. First, to assist businesses in preparing for the 2030 Winter Games, with actions related to seasonal accommodation, training, and sponsorship. Secondly, to promote sustainable and decarbonized growth. Finally, to support the international development of businesses.
To achieve these goals, an accelerator for industrial SMEs will be created. It will aim to encourage relocations and contribute to the reindustrialization of the territory. The CCI will also participate in the Parliament of the JOP 2030, a coordination body for the different economic actors involved in the Games.
This partnership aims to anticipate the needs related to major infrastructure and the economic flows generated by the organization of the Games. It also seeks to address the expectations of businesses facing rapid changes.
Renaud Muselier states: “thanks to this partnership with the CCI, we provide businesses with the means to adapt, to develop, and to shine far beyond our borders.”
