France has received conditional approval to host the 2030 Winter Olympics. The International Olympic Committee gave the green light on Wednesday, stipulating that the country's next prime minister must provide a financial "guarantee" to host the Games in the French Alps.
The decision was taken by members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) during a formal session in Paris.
France was the only candidate proposing to host the 2030 Games, but funding has been in question because there is no government in place following inconclusive snap elections.
'Financial commitment'
The decision came after President Emmanuel Macron told IOC members that he would ask France's next prime minister – yet to be named from ongoing talks to form a new government – to make a "financial commitment" and "guarantee" for hosting the Games.
He also promised to create an Olympic law.
IOC President Thomas Bach said: "President Macron and all stakeholders in French Alps 2030 have today reiterated their full commitment to the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games 2030.
"We have full confidence in France to organise an outstanding edition of the Olympic Winter Games, with the same creativity, imagination and flair we are currently experiencing at Paris 2024."
Deadlines set
A deadline of 1 October was set by the IOC for the next French prime minister to sign a document that will honour the key promises for the 2030 project.
The French national assembly will then have to ratify the document by 1 March 2025.
Macron also said France wanted to show "the rest of the world that the Winter Games are not just history – and we are proud to be part of it – but part of our future".
Salt Lake City in the United States was also formally awarded the 2034 Winter Olympics this Wednesday following another vote by the IOC, which gives Utah its second Games after hosting the event in 2002.
The 2026 Winter Olympics will be held in Milan, while the 2028 Summer Games will be hosted by Los Angeles.
(with newswires)
