2030 Olympics: To deliver everything on time, "twelve months ahead will be decisive"

AFP interviewed Damien Robert, who was appointed CEO of the Olympic Works Delivery Company at the end of February, and Renaud Muselier, president of the Provence-Alpes Côte d'Azur region, who is due to take over the leadership of the structure on Monday, the presidency of which will then rotate with the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.

Question: There are less than five years left until the Olympic Games. Is time running out?

DAMIEN ROBERT: "There is a slight sense of urgency, of course, since we have less than five years to deliver everything. The next twelve months will be decisive because the uncertainties in such a project are very great at the beginning, when it comes to procedures and studies. Afterwards, the work is launched and we can mobilize more force if necessary. We are launching a study this week that will allow us to more precisely estimate, structure by structure, the cost, the schedule, the technical conditions. And on June 23, the map of the Olympic sites will be stabilized."

RENAUD MUSELIER: "I have no concerns. We've had a lot of comments about this, but on the contrary, I'm pleased to say that we are ready and operational."

Q: Going fast in the mountains is particularly complicated...

DR: "The Alps are a treasure trove that must be approached with great caution and care. The challenge is to create a positive legacy, but with the smallest possible footprint. We will be highly anticipated in this regard. We will focus on the materials used, on the circular economy, that is, promoting short supply chains. For example, we will have to use wood as much as possible. There is the issue of energy, and what renewable energy infrastructure can be built to power these facilities. And this work must benefit local businesses, associations, people who are far from employment, etc."

Q: What budget do you have?

DR: "It's not completely finalized, but around two billion (euros) for the Cojo and one billion for Solidéo. One billion is both a lot and not a lot. A lot because it's public money, so it has to be used wisely. And not a lot considering everything that needs to be done. There's no comparison with Paris-2024 since the Winter Olympics are much smaller. But compared to Beijing or Sochi, for example, we have a project whose strength is to make the most of what exists today. In terms of new equipment, we're going to build a single ice rink. The rest is renovation."

RM: "I have no worries. The budget was initially drawn up by the region, then checked by the state, and then revalidated by the IOC. You can make a mistake on your own, but it's difficult to make a mistake three or four times... But of course, you have to be careful about costs."

Q: The question of ice rinks remains complicated...

RM: "Studies have been conducted, there are additional proposals, but all the ice will be in Nice. There's no option of putting it somewhere... These are just wild ideas. As for the temporary ice rink, it could potentially be moved like a bubble to other sites."

DR: "What is certain is that a figure skating rink will be launched. For hockey, there are several possible options, particularly related to the ability to partially or completely cover the Nice stadium. This is to be decided by the Cojo."

Q: Will the Olympic villages of Nice and Briançon really have a life after the Games?

RM: "In Briançon, with the Fort des Têtes, you will have a very strong legacy, the maintenance and redevelopment of an area in the city center that will provide housing for seasonal workers. The same goes for Nice, with a village that will provide additional housing after the Games."

DR: "In Nice, the housing need is enormous. And in Briançon, the sector is also very tight, especially for seasonal workers. So this is one of the crucial points of the legacy, to ensure that the Olympic Games contribute to easing the housing shortage in very tight areas."