Annecy 2018’s presentation at the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) General Assembly Thursday “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”.
Annecy 2018 said in its presentation it fulfilled its promise and cooperated with the International Olympic Movement by developing 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 events are within 33 km radius, with Geneva international airport only 25 minutes away, “enabling spectators to experience snow and ice events on the same day”.
Annecy 2018 then revealed its “Nations Square” to the NOCs, a concept which it said for the first time in history will provide all NOCs with the opportunity to meet and share their culture with the rest of the world. Nations Square would be situated in the centre of Annecy, five minutes away from the ceremony venues, and will be brought to life by five houses each representing one of the five Olympic continents, the focal point of Annecy’s multi-cultural program, providing visitors with a window into the world, an opportunity to take part in celebrations, and entertainment representing the Olympic Nations.
France’s First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy said in the video “it would be a great honour for my country to host the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Annecy”, adding “we would be very proud to work with you to bring the Olympic ideal to life”.
