cfm Jeremie Posted October 14, 2007 Report Share Posted October 14, 2007 Here is an interview of French NOC President, Henri Sérandour, in the "Dauphiné Libéré" (Grenoble daily newpaper): French bid for 2018? In summary, the French NOC seems to have changed its stance on a French bid for 2018 or 2022 from frontal opposition to somehow lukewarm support (nothing enthusiastic though). Basically, Sérandour states that: - there should be no opposition between bidding for winter and summer games and that it should be all part of a strategy to develop sports in France (together with hosting European and World championships), - that anyway there is no summer bid coming up until 2024 or 20208 (he mentioned a new bid from Paris as well as rumours on interest from Marseilles) so why not consider a winter bid, - anyhow, any bid will have to gather the full support of the national, regional and local public authorities and will have to meet the basic IOC requirements. At this stage, among the three cities that have expressed interest, Serandour seems to favour Grenoble over Annecy (Sérandour seems not willing to forget Annecy behaviour after Singapore) and Gap (not feasible according to Serandour). My personal reading is that, indeed, Serandour thinks that a winter bid could help maintain close linked with the IOC until the next credible window for a summer bid, all the more since he is convinced that none of the 3 potential bids stands much of a chance (Gap way too small, Annecy probably coming up with a spread out plan and Grenoble being a somewhat recent host). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amorincognito Posted October 14, 2007 Report Share Posted October 14, 2007 The worst case here, of course, is that France puts forth a bid for 2018 or 2022, wins, and leaves Paris (and Marseille?) out of the chances for any Summer Games anytime soon. Since my experience outside of Paris is the south of France, is there any interest in the Pyrenees (Luchon, Font-Romeu?) to organize a bid (perhaps based in Toulouse, Pau or Perpignan)? (Désolé si je t'ai déjà posé la question) I am guessing that since the ski jumps and bobsleigh track already exist in the Alps, that it could be wasteful to build another set.... but Canada, with half the people, doesn't seem to mind. What sort of project could Marseille put forth? I was there last year and they were ripping up La Canebière to put up a tramway; it seems like the general infrastructure is barely keeping up with growth (or maybe it's a vision for the future I'm not seeing?). Vélodrome is great for football but I don't see the adaptability for athletics; they would have to build another stadium. But Marseille is a fabulous city, full of energy, international, in ways different than Paris, and could benefit greatly from the attention and infrastructure improvements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob2012 Posted October 14, 2007 Report Share Posted October 14, 2007 Am I right in thinking Marseille are building a new stadium anyway, or am I getting confused with another big French club? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfm Jeremie Posted October 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2007 Am I right in thinking Marseille are building a new stadium anyway, or am I getting confused with another big French club? I know Lyon is building a new stadium, not sure about Marseilles (but I don't think so). Anyway, wouldn't be suitable for the Olympics as it will be a football only stadium. (it should actually be a British style stadium with a lot of facilities attached to it, such as hotel, restaurant...). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob2012 Posted October 14, 2007 Report Share Posted October 14, 2007 Ah yes, that's right it was Lyon. Looked good from the pics I saw of it as well. Anyway, sorry for derailing the topic The worst case here, of course, is that France puts forth a bid for 2018 or 2022, wins, and leaves Paris (and Marseille?) out of the chances for any Summer Games anytime soon. Actually the worst case scenario, if a winter bid is merely a ploy to keep the IOC on side in view of a poterntial Paris 2024 bid, would be if that bid wins and then a European City wins 2020. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfm Jeremie Posted October 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2007 Since my experience outside of Paris is the south of France, is there any interest in the Pyrenees (Luchon, Font-Romeu?) to organize a bid (perhaps based in Toulouse, Pau or Perpignan)? (Désolé si je t'ai déjà posé la question) I am guessing that since the ski jumps and bobsleigh track already exist in the Alps, that it could be wasteful to build another set.... but Canada, with half the people, doesn't seem to mind. There was some rumours about a Lourdes/Pau bid back for 2006 but haven't heard anything since then. I don't think a new bobsleigh track will ever be built in France so I think any French bid (Pyrenees or Alps) would make use of La Plagne tracks (except Gap which, being so close to Italy, would use Torino's track in Cezana). What sort of project could Marseille put forth? I was there last year and they were ripping up La Canebière to put up a tramway; it seems like the general infrastructure is barely keeping up with growth (or maybe it's a vision for the future I'm not seeing?). Vélodrome is great for football but I don't see the adaptability for athletics; they would have to build another stadium. But Marseille is a fabulous city, full of energy, international, in ways different than Paris, and could benefit greatly from the attention and infrastructure improvements. You are right. Marseille infrastructure couldn't cope with the Games and I can't see them being ready soon. Not that I am happy with it, but I think that Paris is the only potential summer games French host. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amorincognito Posted October 14, 2007 Report Share Posted October 14, 2007 Actually the worst case scenario, if a winter bid is merely a ploy to keep the IOC on side in view of a poterntial Paris 2024 bid, would be if that bid wins and then a European City wins 2020. Quite right. There are rumours of expanding Vélodrome and putting a roof over all the stands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baron-pierreIV Posted October 14, 2007 Report Share Posted October 14, 2007 I'd say France's best bet for the foreseeable future is still Paris 2024. Forget Winter, France has already 2 in the last 40 years -- sharing that record with the US, Japan, and Canada. As for a Marseilles bid - foolish. That's about as unwise as, sorry cfjeremie, the Lille bid. THe IOC will settle for nothing less than Paris. The FOC should be able to recognize that. And I'm surprised Killy hasn't told them that; or unless they have disregarded him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted October 14, 2007 Report Share Posted October 14, 2007 I wouldn't rule out a winter bid. Albertville was a good games which was overshadowed by the magnificent Lillehammer games just two years later, so people seem to forget about it. They have the facilities, the cash and experiance so why not? They stand a much better chance of hosting a winter games than a summer one. They should definately give it a serious shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thatsnotmypuppy Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 Sérandour seems not willing to forget Annecy's behaviour after Singapore Can you give further information about this? I do know Annecy were quite annoyed they weren't put forward for 2014... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfm Jeremie Posted October 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 I'd say France's best bet for the foreseeable future is still Paris 2024. Forget Winter, France has already 2 in the last 40 years -- sharing that record with the US, Japan, and Canada. As for a Marseilles bid - foolish. That's about as unwise as, sorry cfjeremie, the Lille bid. THe IOC will settle for nothing less than Paris. The FOC should be able to recognize that. And I'm surprised Killy hasn't told them that; or unless they have disregarded him. Well Baron, as I have stated several times, I do think that, unfortunately, Paris is the only credible French host for the summer games. Yet, I don't think Lille's bid was foolish. If you think that the ultimate goal was indeed to host the 2004 Games, yes I agree it is foolish. But if you consider that the ultimate goal was to give a boost to Lille's image in France and in Europe, then I think it wasn't a waste of time and money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfm Jeremie Posted October 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 I do know Annecy were quite annoyed they weren't put forward for 2014... That would be an undertstatement. They were quite vocal about Serandour lacking guts in the French media. Serandour is not the kind of person that appreciates public criticism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durban Sandshark Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 Even with their ill-fated Paris bids for 2008 and 2012, do you think Paris should still go ahead and build the Paris Superdome, which can seat 22,000-25,000 fans? I say yes it still should. London has the O2 Arena, and I know Paris wants to keep up with that by having an ultramodern sports palace itself, as there seems to be an arena boom all over Europe. The Palais Omnisports De Pari-Bercy, opening in 1984, is showing its age and has little in the way of the amenities sports arenas nowdays have, as far as I know. Has there been any talk of building it after all in Paris? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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