Val d’Isère Reacts to Being Removed from List of Olympic Sites
Val d’Isère, originally a contender to host the 2030 Winter Olympics, is not taking the news well. The mayor, Patrick Martin, has expressed his disappointment and frustration, claiming that the event would have “much less flavor” without his resort. He has vowed to continue fighting and has written to the President of France and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
“It’s been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster this past week. We learned on Wednesday that France was in discussions for the Olympics, and 48 hours later, we find out that Val d’Isère has been taken off the map,” said Ingrid Jacquemod, president of the Val d’Isère Sports Club. The station is reeling after being swiftly stripped of the right to host events for the 2030 Winter Olympics.
The mayor, Patrick Martin, compared these Olympics without Val d’Isère to “Paris without the Eiffel Tower, or a rugby match in London outside of Twickenham. It’s possible, but it’s much less flavorful.” Despite this, he is not giving up hope. “I have arguments from the past and the future to make that I believe Val d’Isère should host events in 2030 on the Bellevarde face.”
“We have everything we need on-site to do this and no major installations to fund,” Martin said.
“Val d’Isère has had a culture of competition for over 70 years: organizing races, 190 World Cups – I’m not sure anyone else can claim as many, permanent facilities,” he continued. “We’re talking about sustainable games, there’s little construction, the Bellevarde face is already there. We have everything we need on-site to do this and no major installations to fund.”
Shortly after it was learned that the French Alps would likely host the 2030 Winter Olympics, a provisional map of the sites was unveiled. However, two days later, Val d’Isère, initially slated to host the men’s and women’s slalom alpine skiing events, was removed from the map, along with Isola 2000 for skicross and snowboardcross events.
The mayor has written to Oudéa-Castéra, Macron, and the IOC.
“There’s something shocking about the speed of the decision, without really having this period of discussion,” Jacquemod said. “What’s also very sad for me is the decision-making part, especially as we were in the preparation stages for the one-day races (Val d’Isère will host the Alpine Skiing World Cup this weekend). When we see the work that is being put in and all these years dedicated to growing alpine skiing competitions in our resort…”
The mayor of Val d’Isère has also revealed that he has written letters to political figures. “I reserved the first letter for the two regional presidents, Muselier and Wauquiez,” he explained. “Then, to the Minister of Sports, who is the minister in charge, to the Prime Minister, and to the President of the Republic.” He also admitted to contacting the IOC, via “its director, Mr. de Kepper, in an attempt to meet with him.” Martin claims he was told “there was a 90% chance it wouldn’t happen in Val d’Isère. (…) Even if it’s 99%, I continue to fight.”
Translated from French by JAu with AS in Val d’Isère
