She will work alongside Edgar Grospiron, the chief executive of Annecy 2018, and the various other experts on the Bid Committee.

A career diplomat, Ramis has held several positions within the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Paris.

She has also worked extenively abroad, notably in the French Embassies in Bogota and Mexico City, as well as serving as Deputy Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations in Vienna and Geneva.

Since September 2008, Ramis has been the Ambassador for France in Guatemala.

Annecy has had to redevelop its bid following criticism in June by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) of its original plan.

Grospiron spent several days during the inaugural Summer Youth Olympic Games in Singapore last week meeting with a number of IOC member to show them Annecy's new plans.

The appointment of Ramis is designed to help capitalise on the strides he made there.

Grospiron said: "We are thrilled to welcome Michèle Ramis into our candidacy team.

"Her superb knowledge of international circles, her expertise and her experience as a top-level diplomat will be a major asset for France’s bid to organise the 2018 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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