Nice Premium: Christophe Pinna, what do you think of the design chosen to be the mascot for Nice 2018?
Christophe Pinna: It’s a very good choice. The young girl was very imaginative. It’s a good idea to represent a mountain skiing. There’s a Niçois touch with the note: “soon, socca break!” It’s a very pretty drawing.
NP: How do you feel about the initiative to involve children in the project?
CP: It’s wonderful. It’s adorable to involve children in such projects, both at a sporting level and also in letting their imagination and creativity run free.
NP: More seriously, what motivated you to support Nice 2018?
CP: One cannot talk about motivation for being behind Nice 2018. I am from Nice, I love sports, it’s completely normal. I find it magnificent to involve an entire city, an entire department and I hope the whole country will be with us if we are chosen. The adventure is beautiful. Sport conveys values like nothing else. It’s a fantastic element of solidarity that touches everyone. It’s extremely unifying. It will allow us to reconnect with a great sports dynamic.
NP: What advantages does Nice’s candidacy have?
CP: When we talk about Nice and the Olympics, we think of the Summer Games. But there are wonderful ski resorts less than an hour’s drive away. The sites are wonderful. We have the second largest French airport, the largest hotel facilities, and thus great sports facilities in the highlands. The candidacy of Nice should be taken very seriously.
NP: What are the chances?
CP: The four cities were on an equal footing before the presentation at the CNOSF last January 21st. Nice stands a good chance. There’s a strong file that is progressing. We will defend it vigorously until March 18th, the date of the deliberation.
