The Organizing Committee for the 2030 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in the Alps announces the departure of its director general Cyril Linette. The decision comes after several weeks of internal tensions and just minutes before Edgar Grospiron’s hearing at the Senate. The project’s governance is entering a reorganization phase less than four years before the deadline.
The Organizing Committee for the 2030 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in the Alps officially announced on Wednesday, February 25, the departure of director general Cyril Linette. The announcement came just minutes before Edgar Grospiron’s hearing before a senate commission.
In a statement, the COJOP provided details on this expected departure: “On the occasion of the executive board meeting held on Sunday, February 22, 2026 in Milan, the Cojop and stakeholders took note of the departure of the Cojop’s director general, Cyril Linette.” The publication preceded the hearing dedicated to the governance crisis experienced by the organization.
For several weeks, tensions have opposed Edgar Grospiron and Cyril Linette. On February 11, the main stakeholders of the 2030 Cojop, namely the State, the Olympic and Paralympic committees, as well as the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regions, had “taken note” of “insurmountable disagreements” between the two leaders. This step opened the way for the director general’s swift departure.
The statement released Wednesday pays tribute to the work accomplished by Cyril Linette. The text nonetheless indicates that the decision “responds to the collective desire to give the Cojop new momentum through renewed governance, at a time when, with its foundations laid, a new key phase of operational delivery of the project opens […] The collective priority remains the continuation of the work undertaken in service of the project.”
A tense hearing at the Senate
The announcement preceded by just a few minutes Edgar Grospiron’s hearing by the Culture and Sports Commission of the Senate. The session focused on the internal situation of the committee.
During this videoconference hearing, Edgar Grospiron acknowledged: “The difficulties we are facing must be viewed with clear eyes, they are not denied. To overcome them we will have to act with method, rigor, and a sense of collective purpose.”
When asked about the conditions of Cyril Linette’s departure, Edgar Grospiron did not wish to elaborate on the details, invoking a “confidentiality clause.” A senator’s question regarding a possible resignation of the Cojop president provoked an immediate reaction. “I am surprised and astonished because I don’t know where you heard that I could have even entertained the idea of resigning,” declared Edgar Grospiron, denouncing a “media soap opera.”
Regarding the progress of projects, Edgar Grospiron admitted “some delays” on several fronts, notably partnerships, event mapping, and additional sports. The Cojop president nonetheless assured that “the delays we have incurred on these subjects do absolutely not prevent the delivery of the Games. All subjects are advancing.”
A “joint marketing contract with the IOC” was signed the previous week. According to Edgar Grospiron, this contract should enable the imminent conclusion of commercial agreements: “we are in very positive momentum.”
A series of departures in two months
Cyril Linette’s departure is part of a sequence marked by several departures of senior executives. In two months, three leaders have left their positions. Anne Murac, operations director, started the series. Arthur Richer, communications director, followed. Bertrand Méheut, president of the remuneration committee and former president of the Canal+ group, also left his position.
The Cojop must now secure private partnerships, finalize the organization of events, and strengthen coordination with the host territories. The Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regions are directly affected by the project’s success.
The period ahead should allow for the restoration of a calm working environment. Governance is a point of concern for public authorities and sports partners.
The current sequence reveals a committee under pressure. The coming months must confirm the Cojop’s ability to stabilize its internal organization and maintain the planned schedule.
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