The 2030 Winter Olympics venues have been confirmed, with competitions set to take place across Lyon and the French Alps, while long-track speed skating will be held at the Thialf arena in Heerenveen, Netherlands.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed the final venue allocations on Wednesday, ending months of changes and uncertainty surrounding the organisation of the Games.
Key Highlights
- A total of 11 competition venues will be used for the 2030 Winter Olympics.
- Lyon will host curling, figure skating and short-track speed skating.
- Courchevel will stage Alpine skiing speed events, while Val d’Isère will host the slalom events.
- Long-track speed skating will be held at the Thialf arena in Heerenveen, Netherlands.
- Freeride skiing and synchronised figure skating will make their Olympic debuts.
- Nordic combined will be removed from the Winter Olympics programme for the first time.
2030 Winter Olympics Venues Confirmed
The Games will use 11 competition venues, with most of the events taking place in southern France.
Lyon will host curling, figure skating and short-track speed skating at three locations. One of the venues is Parc Olympique Lyonnais, the home stadium of French Ligue 1 club Olympique Lyonnais.
Courchevel will host the Alpine skiing speed events, including downhill and super-G competitions and their team events.
Val d’Isère will stage the Alpine skiing slalom events.
Speed Skating to Take Place in Netherlands
Long-track speed skating will be held at the Thialf arena in Heerenveen, Netherlands.
The decision to stage the event outside France was part of the agreement reached with the IOC when the French Alps were awarded the Games.
The arrangement is designed to reduce costs by making use of an existing facility instead of constructing a new speed skating venue in France.
Lyon Replaces Nice as Ice Sports Hub
The final venue plan follows several changes to the original arrangements for the Games.
In May, organisers moved the ice sports hub from Nice to Lyon after Nice mayor Eric Ciotti rejected plans to convert the city’s football stadium into a temporary ice rink.
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The change resulted in Lyon taking over the hosting of several ice sports as organisers finalised the venue plan for the 2030 Winter Olympics.
Organising Committee Faces Leadership Change
The Games also experienced organisational uncertainty last month when Edgar Grospiron stepped down as president of the organising committee.
Grospiron had held the position for 18 months before his departure.
Despite the changes, organisers have now confirmed the competition venues for the Games.
New Sports to Make Olympic Debut
The 2030 Winter Olympics will feature 16 sporting disciplines in the French Alps.
Freeride skiing and synchronised figure skating, known as synchro9, will make their Olympic debuts at the Games.
However, Nordic combined will be removed from the Winter Olympics programme for the first time.
The confirmed venue plan provides the framework for the 2030 Winter Olympics, with competitions spread across locations in France and the Netherlands.
