Led by Olympic Champion Edgar Grospiron, Team Annecy 2018 today outlined its vision to stage authentic and hospitable Olympic and Paralympic Games, with athletes at heart to celebrate the true spirit of the Winter Games. With huge progress achieved on technical aspects, the strong commitment from French and international athletes and the promise of a historic legacy for both the Annecy region and the International Olympic Committee, the French Bid received positive feedback on its presentation to the world's National Olympic Committees gathered in General Assembly in Acapulco.
Annecy 2018 to "Open the way into the mountains of the 21st Century"
Addressing the National Olympic Committee’s General Assembly in Acapulco, French IOC member and Winter Games expert Jean-Claude Killy, first appeared in a video to introduce Annecy 2018 Bid CEO Edgar Grospiron to the Olympic Family in a passionate declaration, while expressing his fervent belief in the Annecy 2018 project's new concept.
The Annecy 2018 CEO and 1992 Olympic Champion, Edgar Grospiron, then took to the stage to unveil the French project for the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Annecy in 2018, at the birthplace of Winter sports.
"The first Olympic Winter Games were held in Chamonix in 1924. This territory is our most beautiful and valued possession; and it is our responsibility to improve and maintain it, while fully respecting the environment, its values, its traditions and its authenticity," he explained. "We will do everything it takes to ensure that the Olympic torch and its spirit shine forth and are passed on, as previous generations did for us.
We hope to harness the Games’ great power to help us lay the foundations of a new cycle, and open the way into the mountains of the 21st Century. We invite the Olympic Family to join forces to foster the Olympic ideal and thus organize and celebrate the best ever Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2018."
A new, highly-compact, high performance plan designed in cooperation with the Olympic Family
To fulfil this promise, and in full cooperation with the International Olympic Movement, Annecy 2018 has developed an ultra-compact and high-performance concept organized around two principle bases, Annecy and Chamonix Mont-Blanc, less than an hour apart with direct links by motorway and the "Games Train". All the events are within a 33 kilometre radius, with Geneva international airport only 25 minutes away, enabling spectators to experience snow and ice events on the same day.
"In addition to proximity, Annecy and Chamonix are unique in that they both have Snow and Ice venues and both Olympic Villages are located in the heart of the society. And more than 80% of the athletes will be accommodated less than 10 minutes away from their venues", added Edgar Grospiron.
A concept developed by athletes and for athletes
He then introduced one of the French Champions behind the Annecy 2018 bid, the Triple Olympic Alpine Skiing medallist Perrine Pelen, who is also an expert in the fields of Olympic Hosting and Accommodation.
Perrine Pelen declared: "As an Olympian, I know how important the Olympic Village is to an athlete's experience at the Games. At Annecy and Chamonix, everything will be done to give them the most comfortable welcome, in order to encourage sporting performance and a celebratory atmosphere."
Annecy 2018 went on to reveal its "Nations Square" to the NOCs, a concept which for the first time in history will provide all the NOCs with the opportunity to meet and share their culture with the rest of the world, in a tremendous celebration of sport and friendship.
"We plan to share this spirit with the public, particularly with young people, via a totally new place of celebration at the heart of the Games, a venue where people can meet and share aspects of their respective cultures. Situated in the centre of Annecy, 5 minutes away from the ceremony venues, this symbolic square will be brought to life by 5 Houses, each representing one of the 5 Olympic continents. It will be the focal point of our multi-cultural programme, providing visitors with a window into the world; an opportunity to take part in celebrations and entertainment representing the Olympic Nations."
Following Perrine Pelen on stage, Pernilla Wiberg, Swedish former IOC Member and two-time Olympic Alpine Skiing Champion revealed her passionate commitment to Annecy 2018: "I have joined Edgar and his team because I believe in the power of the Olympic values and their bid. Annecy and Chamonix have a strong Olympic history and I want to be a part of their future," she declared. "It feels very natural for me to be part of this bid. Moreover, I have never ever before witnessed a bid that takes the athletes' opinions so seriously. I am an idealist, and Sport can change lives. Annecy will change yours! Today I’m glad and excited to join this enthusiastic team composed of millions of French fans, and also supported at the highest level of the French State."
Annecy 2018 is the bid of the whole nation
Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, the French First Lady, then addressed the Olympic Family in a video outlining the strong backing of the French state behind the nation’s Olympic and Paralympic Bid. She said: "Like all the French people, I would be delighted to applaud athletes from all over the world as they climb the Olympic podiums. It would be a great honour for my country to host the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Annecy. I am aware that you would be placing your full trust in us, and we therefore stand at your entire disposal. We would be very proud to work with you to bring the Olympic ideal to life. Now we wait only for you to celebrate together the Olympic spirit and the magic of the performance."
On stage, the whole Annecy 2018 team of Champions, composed of Pernilla Viberg, Perrine Pelen, together with Jean-Pierre Vidal, 2002 Olympic Champion in Slalom, Jean-Luc Rigaut, Mayor of Annecy and triple World Champion in Canoeing and French NOC President Denis Masseglia, gathered around Edgar Grospiron for a final invitation to the Olympic Family: "We have the Snow, we have the Ice: All we need is YOU".
For more information, please contact: alexandra.carraz@annecy-2018.fr
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