Olympics Update: Guy Drut Backs Alternative Winter Games Plan for Nice
Former Olympic champion and Minister of Sports, Guy Drut, has voiced his support for an alternative plan for the 2030 Winter Olympics in Nice, backing the proposal put forth by Éric Ciotti. This development comes as debates continue regarding the feasibility and environmental impact of hosting the games.
Ciotti, a candidate in the upcoming elections on March 15 and 22, 2026, has outlined a different vision for the games than the current administration. Drut, who also serves as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), believes Ciotti’s plan deserves consideration. The support from a figure with Drut’s Olympic and political background adds weight to the alternative proposal.
Drut, a champion in the 110-meter hurdles at the 1976 Montreal Olympics and a European champion in 1974, emphasized the importance of a well-planned approach to hosting the games. He specifically expressed reservations about utilizing the Allianz Riviera stadium, fearing it would disrupt the OGC Nice football club’s schedule for an extended period – potentially four to six months.
The endorsement from Drut, a prominent figure in French sports and politics, highlights the growing discussion surrounding the 2030 Winter Olympics bid. He served as Minister of Youth and Sports from 1995 to 1997 under Jacques Chirac and was a deputy in the French National Assembly for over a decade.
This support arrives amid broader concerns about the environmental impact of artificial snow and the overall sustainability of hosting the Winter Olympics, as highlighted in recent reports. The debate over the future of the games and their impact on alpine environments continues to intensify.
