Michel Barnier, former French Prime Minister and prominent politician, has been endorsed as the person to lead the organization of the 2030 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in the French Alps. His previous experience as co-president, together with Jean-Claude Killy, of the organizing committee of the Albertville Games in 1992, endorses him and this Tuesday morning he has been endorsed by two members of the IOC after a meeting held in Paris and seeing that another candidate, the former biathlete Martin Fourcade, has stepped aside.

At the meeting held this week, the promoters of the Alps 2030 have given their backing to Barnier, who has also been endorsed by the International Olympic Committee. Initially, the official announcement to declare who will be the leader at the head of this event was to be for this December 24, but during the Parisian talk it was agreed to delay it until January.

The IOC and the promoters of the Alps 2030 had intended Barnier to form a tandem with Fourcade, but the latter’s refusal to such a partnership has led to Barnier being considered as the sole leader of the whole process.

KEY MEETINGS IN MATIGNON

Last October, Barnier organized meetings in Matignon with key Alps 2030 stakeholders, including Laurent Wauquiez and Renaud Muselier, to discuss the structure of the organizing committee and other essential aspects of planning. These meetings reflected the commitment of the French government under Barnier’s leadership to ensure an efficient and successful preparation of the Games. As part of the organization, Pierre-Antoine Molina was appointed interministerial delegate for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, succeeding Michel Cadot, who joined Barnier’s cabinet.