Less than five years before the 2030 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, the projects are accelerating. After the establishment of the organizing committee in February, it is the Olympic Works Delivery Company (Solideo) that is officially taking the stage. However, uncertainties remain, particularly regarding the appointment of the CEO of COJOP.
This Monday in Marseille, the project for the 2030 Winter Games reached another milestone. Solideo, responsible for constructing the facilities, has been officially established. This political and institutional sequence marks the operational launch of the second pillar of the organization. Damien Robert has been appointed as director. The event took place at the headquarters of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Regional Council, attended by several figures: Minister of Sports Marie Barsacq, the presidents of the PACA and AURA regions, Fabrice Pannekoucke and Renaud Muselier, as well as representatives from the French Olympic and Paralympic Committees.
Edgar Grospiron, head of the organizing committee, reiterated the roles of each entity. COJOP is in charge of sports organization, logistics, and events. Solideo, on the other hand, oversees the construction of the necessary infrastructure for the Games.
“The goal is to be on time and within budget. Time is short; never have the Olympic Games been organized in five years,” said David Lappartient, president of the CNOSF.
Cyril Linette, an Appointment Deferred but Expected
While the structures are being set in place, the position of CEO of COJOP remains open. The name Cyril Linette has been circulating for several weeks. His appointment was expected this Monday in Marseille during the Solideo board meeting. However, his appointment has not been officially announced.
The former head of L’Équipe and PMU was not present. The “club of five” — composed of the two regions, the State, the CNOSF, and the CPSF — still wishes to confer with the candidate. According to several sources, his appointment seems assured, but postponed to Thursday, during the next board meeting of COJOP in Décines. “There are still a few steps to go through,” explained a committee member, adding: “He will be the one in the end.”
Renaud Muselier confirmed that a meeting with all partners was requested before any official announcement. This process aims to secure a crucial appointment for the progress of the project. A government source believes his arrival will “unlock many things, particularly the recruitment of the rest of the organization.”
Sites, Infrastructure, and Upcoming Decisions
Regarding infrastructure, the first major projects are becoming clearer. Two Olympic villages are planned: one in Nice and the other in Briançon, at the Fort des Têtes site. A new ice rink is also anticipated, likely in Nice. Solideo might also revive an old project: the valley elevator between Bozel and Courchevel.
But these projects remain contingent on the final site map, which is being drawn up. It will be unveiled on June 23. This work, led by Edgar Grospiron, requires careful considerations. Each territory wants to showcase its facilities. Discussions are ongoing and sometimes tense.
The example of Val d’Isère illustrates these challenges. Not initially included in the bid, the station might be added to the final list. Such a decision would prompt demands from other territories, as Renaud Muselier pointed out: “If you add Val-d’Isère, then Isola 2000 will want to be included.”
The development of this site map is thus a strategic step. It will determine the distribution of competitions, planning priorities, and the project’s major territorial balances.
With five years to go, the pace is quickening. But everything remains to be built.