The new mayor of Nice, Eric Ciotti, has expressed opposition to the project of installing ice hockey at the Allianz Riviera, the stronghold of OGC Nice, despite the city theoretically hosting figure skating, short track, curling, a Olympic village and a media center during the 2030 Winter Olympics.
The decision regarding the ice events for the 2030 Winter Olympics in Nice is expected to be made by the end of the current week, stated Renaud Muselier, the President of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region on Monday. Discussions seemed to be stalling, with Muselier and Ciotti accusing each other of causing obstacles.
“We are walking a fine line, but the line is still taut and we have the week,” Muselier declared after a meeting among the stakeholders involved in organizing the Winter Olympics planned to take place in the French Alps. Technicians are now discussing alternatives proposed by Ciotti with a deadline set for the end of the week.
Nice is set to host figure skating, ice hockey, short track, curling, an Olympic village, and a media center for the 2030 Winter Olympics. However, the ice hockey tournament remains the sticking point, with Ciotti deeming the temporary covering of the Allianz Riviera football stadium to be a non-negotiable issue. In light of this, discussions are ongoing to find a solution.
Michel Cadot, former prefect of Île-de-France and former interministerial delegate for the 2024 Olympics, is currently serving in an interim role at the 2030 Olympic Games organizing committee until a new general director is appointed. Muselier emphasized the importance of finding a resolution, stating that everyone involved is committed to making Nice a significant part of the Olympic plans.
