The bill regulating the 2030 Winter Olympics and Paralympics includes a series of exceptional measures to accelerate the development of infrastructure. In Nice, this legislation will notably allow the extension of the use of the OceaNice convention center, which will host the media during the Games.
Presented to the Council of Ministers on May 15, the bill on the 2030 Olympic and Paralympic Games marks a new step in the preparation of the event. This text, structured around 37 articles, includes measures to adapt legislation concerning urban planning, environment, and security. The goal is to ensure the smooth running of the Games, which will take place from the Southern Alps to Nice.
In this context, Christian Estrosi, mayor of Nice and president of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis, welcomed the measure allowing the extended use of the OceaNice convention center. This decision, confirmed by the Prime Minister in early May and endorsed by the Council of Ministers, authorizes its operation until 2030. The site will host the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC-3) before transforming into the media center during the Games.
“The Council of Ministers has officially endorsed this measure. I commend this strong decision, which reinforces our commitment to equipping Nice with a structuring facility, completed in record time on the strategic site of the port,” said Christian Estrosi.
The OceaNice center was designed to be modular. It can host congresses, conferences, seminars, shows, or concerts. Starting in September, nearly 70 events are already scheduled there.
A Legislative Framework Tailored for the Event
The Olympic bill is considered a key element in organizing the Games. It largely follows the legislative models established for the 2024 Paris Games. The Minister of Sports, Marie Barsacq, emphasized the continuity of this approach. According to her, the experience gained in 2024 serves as the foundation for this new text, which must nonetheless be adapted to the specificities of mountain territories.
Among the planned measures: accelerated urban planning procedures, creation of Olympic lanes, and relaxed Sunday work rules in competition areas. Some provisions directly affect local communities and have prompted a response from the National Council for Standards Evaluation (CNEN), which issued an unfavorable opinion, highlighting a lack of time to analyze the impact of the measures.
The text also includes a security section. It endorses the extension until 2027 of the use of algorithmic video surveillance. This was tested during the 2024 Games. It aims, notably, at detecting crowd movements or unusual behavior. Though criticisms were raised, the government wishes to maintain this system to ensure a high level of vigilance.
The company Solideo, responsible for delivering the infrastructure, will benefit from exceptional procedures to accelerate the work. The first building permit applications are expected for 2027. The timeline is tight. Delivery deadlines will need to be shorter than those observed for the Paris Games.
The text also plans to manage the occupation of public spaces by organizers and strengthens the oversight role of the Court of Auditors and the French Anti-Corruption Agency. It includes provisions to align French law with the World Anti-Doping Code.
Parliamentary review will begin at the end of June in the Senate, before heading to the National Assembly in the fall. Adoption of the text is hoped for by the end of the year.
For Christian Estrosi, the prospect of the Games represents a great opportunity for Nice. By hosting the media center and capitalizing on OceaNice, the city intends to be part of the Olympic momentum.
“OceaNice is a versatile place serving everyone: congresses, conferences, conventions, seminars, shows, concerts…”, recalled the mayor. “Starting in 2030, OceaNice will also host the media center for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. This is national recognition for Nice and a wonderful showcase for our territory.”
The future will show if the legislative measures will achieve the set objectives. Meanwhile, Nice positions itself as a committed player in the preparation of this international event.
