Annecy 2018 Winter Olympics Bid Receives Francophone Backing

Annecy 2018 has received official backing of the French-speaking world in its bid to host the Winter Olympics and Paralympics ahead of next month’s vote.

The support came during the latest Ministerial session of CONFEJES – the Conference of Ministers for Youth and Sport from States and Governments with French as a common language – held in Ndjamena, Chad.

The motion, which was passed with unanimous support, said: “The Conference of Ministers supports France and calls on all its members and those of the International Francophone Organisation to support the Annecy bid – the only French-speaking bid – to host the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games,” 

President of Annecy 2018, Charles Beigbeder, was delighted to receive the backing from CONFEJES.

He said: “It is important for us to have received this unanimous support from CONFEJES.

“We believe Games in France will offer the Olympic Movement an authentic global platform to promote its values. 

“This support is a real boost for us and our team will be doing everything possible in the final days of the campaign to bring the 2018 Games to Annecy to help benefit Olympism all over the world.”