2030 Olympics: Solideo enters the arena, awaiting its chief executive

Less than five years away from the 2030 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, construction projects are accelerating. After the organizing committee was established in February, it is now the Société de Livraison des Ouvrages Olympiques (Solideo) that officially takes the stage. However, uncertainties persist, particularly regarding the appointment of the COJOP’s chief executive officer.

This Monday in Marseille, the 2030 Winter Games project reached a new milestone. Solideo, responsible for the construction of facilities, was officially established. A political and institutional sequence marking the operational launch of the second pillar of the organization. Damien Robert was appointed its director. The event was held at the headquarters of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Regional Council, in the presence of several personalities: Sports Minister Marie Barsacq, the presidents of PACA and AURA regions, Fabrice Pannekoucke and Renaud Muselier, as well as representatives of the French Olympic and Paralympic committees.

Edgar Grospiron, heading the organizing committee, recalled the roles of each party. The COJOP is responsible for sporting, logistical and event organization. Solideo, for its part, oversees the construction of infrastructure necessary for the Games.

“The objective is to stay on schedule and within budget. Time is short, the Olympic Games have never been organized in five years”, declared David Lappartient, president of the CNOSF.

Cyril Linette, a postponed but anticipated appointment

While structures are being put in place, the position of COJOP chief executive officer remains to be filled. The name Cyril Linette has been circulating for several weeks. His arrival was expected this Monday in Marseille during the Solideo board meeting. However, his appointment was not made official.

The former head of L’Équipe and the PMU was not present. The “club of five” — comprising the two regions, the State, the CNOSF and the CPSF — still wishes to discuss further with the candidate. According to several sources, his appointment appears assured, but postponed to Thursday, during the next COJOP board meeting in Décines. “There are still a few steps to complete”, explained a committee member. Adding: “It will be him in the end.”

Renaud Muselier confirmed that a meeting with all partners was requested before any official announcement. This process aims to secure a key appointment for the rest of the project. A government source estimates that his arrival will help “unlock a lot of things, particularly the recruitment of the rest of the organizational structure.”

Sites, infrastructure and decisions to come

On the infrastructure side, the first major projects are becoming clearer. Two Olympic villages are planned: one in Nice, the other in Briançon, on the Fort des Têtes site. A new ice skating rink should also be built, likely in Nice. Solideo could also revive an old issue: the valley lift between Bozel and Courchevel.

However, these projects remain dependent on the final map of sites currently being developed. It will be unveiled on June 23. This work, directed by Edgar Grospiron, requires delicate decisions. Each territory wants to showcase its facilities. Discussions are ongoing, sometimes tense.

The example of Val d’Isère illustrates these issues. Absent from the candidacy file, the resort could be added to the final list. A decision that would trigger claims from other territories, as highlighted by Renaud Muselier: “If you bring back Val-d’Isère, there will be Isola 2000.”

The development of this site map promises to be a strategic step. It will determine the distribution of competitions, infrastructure priorities and the major territorial balance of the project.

Five years from the event, the pace is accelerating. But everything still needs to be built.