The French city suffered humiliation when it received only seven votes – the second lowest in recent history for either the Winter or Summer Games – from International Olympic Committee (IOC) members, as Pyeongchang won the rights to host the 2018 Winter Games with a clear majority in the first round of voting ahead of second placed Munich.

Officials called the outcome "a massive disappointment", but Monteil (pictured top) says the region has other reasons for hosting the CISM World Winter Games in Annecy as opposed to a way of seeking revenge.

"Annecy 2018 was supported by the athletes and the region but maybe not enough by the higher authorities and Government," he told insidethegames.

"The CISM World Winter Games is not a revenge because of Annecy 2018.

"It's a way to show that we want and we can host international events here in our mountains.

"It's a way to convince ourselves as well that the region, Haute-Savoie, can host it and that we have capacity in terms of accommodation and all capacities to do it."


Monteil does, however, seem to have had his fingers burnt and appears cautious when it comes to putting forward future Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games bids.

Although he admits the region cannot bid again without the full support of the French Government he does say that Annecy will be ready to "help" should it be called on by higher authorities.

"The next Winter Olympic bid needs to be prepared and wanted at the national level," he explained.

"We will be available whenever necessary and we will be able to help but it needs to come from the Government, it cannot be coming from a small territory.

"We cannot take the initiative ourselves it has to come from higher authorities."

He goes on to hint that France has some tough decisions to make in terms of putting forward Olympic bids and explains it will come down to whether the national Government opts to submit a Winter or Summer Games bid.

"The Government will need to make choices between Summer Olympics, Winter Olympics, Paris, Annecy, so it will have to come from them but if they decide Annecy we will once again be here to help and we will have the experience."

Asked whether he knows if Paris will bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, particularly as these Games would coincide with the 100th anniversary of the 1924 Olympics in the French capital, he says: "The idea is going around and they are thinking about it but I will not be able to say anymore."

Bidding for the 2024 host city will begin in 2015, with the winning bid to be announced in 2017 at the 129th IOC Session.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
July 2011: Munich and Annecy do little to hide frustration over losing 2018 Olympics