2030 Olympic Games: After ruling out Nice, Éric Ciotti denounces 'political choice'

Nice Mayor Éric Ciotti has denounced the decision to relocate ice sports for the 2030 Winter Olympics from his city to Lyon as a "political choice." The organizing committee opted for Lyon to host events like hockey, figure skating, and curling, along with an Olympic village and media center, after Nice's inability to secure a suitable venue for men's hockey and a veto on a temporary ice rink at the Allianz Riviera stadium.

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Everything suggests that this decision stems more from a political choice guided by the satisfaction of private lobbies than from technical or organizational considerations, and that it aims to punish the people of Nice for the vote they freely expressed at the polls.

Ciotti, an ally of the National Rally party, stated in a press release that the decision appeared to be guided by private lobby interests rather than technical or organizational considerations. He suggested it was a punitive measure against Nice's residents for their recent vote. "The choices that have been made, which deviate from the general interest, will have to be the subject of a parliamentary inquiry commission in the coming months," Ciotti declared.

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The choices that have been made, which deviate from the general interest, will have to be the subject of a parliamentary inquiry commission in the coming months.

As mayor, president of the metropolitan area, and vice-president of the departmental council, Ciotti promised that the 140 million euros earmarked by these authorities for the 2030 Games would instead fund everyday sports facilities. "Nice will not sacrifice 140 million euros for a few weeks of events. These resources will be devoted to what really matters: sustainable sports facilities, useful every day for the people of Nice, amateur clubs and young generations," he added.

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Nice will not sacrifice 140 million euros for a few weeks of events. These resources will be devoted to what really matters: sustainable sports facilities, useful every day for the people of Nice, amateur clubs and young generations.

Conversely, the opposition in Nice welcomed the organizers' announcement. Ecologist municipal councilor Juliette Chesnel-Le Roux called the original plan an "ecological absurdity, financially unsustainable for the city." She expressed relief that "some reason prevailed" and that Nice's funds would not be spent on such a project, noting Lyon's existing facilities would likely incur lower costs. However, supporters of former mayor Christian Estrosi expressed significant bitterness, with Anthony Borré calling it a "historic waste" and blaming Ciotti's "dogmatism."

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Ecological absurdity, financially unsustainable for the city. Fortunately, there was some reason because we are not going to spend the money of the people of Nice on such a project. In Lyon, they already have facilities (...), there will certainly be less expense.