A decision is expected by the end of the week regarding the organization of ice events in Nice for the 2030 Winter Olympics. Discussions continue among the stakeholders involved, as disagreements persist over the issue of ice hockey.
The question of the ice center in Nice remains open. A meeting of the organizing committee for the French Alps 2030 Olympic and Paralympic Games was held on Monday, April 20. Several items were on the agenda, including the future of ice events and the governance of the committee.
At the end of this meeting, Renaud Muselier mentioned a tight schedule. “We are on a tightrope, but the rope is still taut, and we haven’t fallen off. We have the week,” declared the president of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. A decision is expected by the end of the week.
The matter has recently experienced tensions. Last Friday, exchanges between Renaud Muselier and Éric Ciotti highlighted disagreements over the organization of the events. Nevertheless, Nice is still identified to host several disciplines. Figure skating, ice hockey, short track speed skating, and curling are part of the initial project. An Olympic village and a media center are also planned.
Renaud Muselier: “Everything is ok, except hockey”
The main difficulty concerns ice hockey. “Everything is ok, except hockey,” repeated Renaud Muselier. The initial project plans for a temporary cover for the Allianz Riviera stadium to host the matches. This solution implies making the stadium unavailable for OGC Nice.
For Éric Ciotti, this option is unacceptable. The mayor of Nice considers this prospect as “an absolute red line.” The idea of depriving the Aiglons of their stadium for several months has been met with a clear refusal.
Alternatives have been put on the table. “Everyone did a bit of work over the weekend, and Mr. Ciotti’s alternative options were presented. Mr. Cadot said they needed to be studied, and we have until the end of the week,” said Renaud Muselier.
Michel Cadot, tasked with an interim mission within the organizing committee, coordinates this phase of study. The technical teams are now examining the different options. “So, the technicians are now around the table, and we’ll see what comes out of it. It can or cannot be,” added Renaud Muselier.
The issue extends beyond just the hockey question. The continuation of the ice center in Nice depends on this decision. “Everyone wants Nice. There is a strong attachment to the Nice hub, which greatly appealed to the IOC,” recalled the regional president.
Several avenues are being considered. The use of another sports facility is being explored. The future rugby stadium is one of the possible solutions to host OGC Nice. Budget constraints remain present in the discussions, notably on Éric Ciotti’s side, who has been cutting unnecessary expenses since the beginning of his tenure as mayor of Nice.
Moving the events to another city remains a possibility. Lyon is mentioned as an alternative. Such a development would have consequences for the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. The ice center represents a significant part of the Olympic setup.
A decision must be made by the State, the concerned regions, and the Olympic bodies. The timetable provides for validation before the end of the month. The site map must then be finalized for a presentation scheduled for the end of June.
Governance still in transition
The meeting on April 20 also addressed the issue of the general management of the organizing committee. The position remains vacant following the departure of Cyril Linette. This departure followed “insurmountable disagreements” with Edgar Grospiron.
A specialized firm proposed several names to fill this position. The decision is expected to be made during an executive board meeting scheduled for May 11. In the meantime, Michel Cadot is acting as interim.
The coming days should allow progress on these two issues. The question of the ice center in Nice and that of governance remain tied to the credibility of the Alpes 2030 project. The schedule demands rapid decisions as discussions continue among the different stakeholders.
