“I am making a commitment to you and officially announcing the candidacy of Nice and the Cรดte d’Azur for hosting the 2018 Olympic Games,” declared C. Estrosi, the Deputy Mayor of Nice, who is determined to do everything possible to propose a flawless bid. “We have all the assets to succeed and offer an exceptional site to make the world dream,” he continued. Although a coastal city, the Azurian city intends to offer an exceptional site for the organization of these Winter Games. A perfect site hidden behind the hills of Nice, with winter resorts such as Isola 2000, Auron, Valberg…
According to C. Estrosi, the city of Nice already has significant advantages that would allow for an investment of about 100 million euros, while the two other French candidate cities Grenoble [[already hosting the Games in 1968]] and Annecy are planning for twice that. Among the already existing infrastructures, it should be noted that Nice has the second-largest airport in France, a constantly evolving public transportation network, top-notch hotel capacity, varied roadways, as well as mountain stations with very efficient equipment and 80% guarantee of the skiable domain, regardless of weather conditions.
Formidable Competition
This candidacy comes at the right time for the economic development of the city and the Alpes-Maritimes department. “The facilities we will build will serve the entire population of our department after the games. I wish to inscribe our file at the heart of sustainable development,” indicated Mr. Estrosi.
The Alpes-Maritimes department has received the support of many political figures, including Patrick Allemand, representative of the president of the PACA region Michel Vauzelle, for whom “it is a desire to make the entire region win.” Prince Albert II of Monaco is also said to have promised the support of the principality.
While Nice shares many similarities with Vancouver in Canada and Sochi in Russia, [[the last two cities chosen for 2010 and 2014]] both coastal and mountainous sites, the road is still long, and the competition is formidable.
The Olympic battle has been announced, but we will have to wait until March 2009 to know the name of the city that will represent France against other competitors. According to rumors, Nice might face Munich, Geneva, Tampere, or even Denver. But this, only the future will tell.
