France is one of three contenders for the 2030 Winter Olympics, alongside Sweden and Switzerland, after a proposal including Wauquiez's region and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur was put forward.

The proposal is expected to include some venues from the last time France staged the Winter Games in Albertville in 1992 and has put the environment at the forefront.

"I am convinced that we must provide another image of the Olympism," Wauquiez said, as reported by Le Monde.

"After what happened in Sochi, in Beijing, we must bring the image of sober Olympic Games, respectful of the environment, which are part of a lasting legacy, not those where we make constructions for one day and then they are demolished.

"This corresponds to the desire of the IOC [International Olympic Committee] to open this new page with the first sustainable Olympic Games, which is an ambition that we set.

"Our region is bathed in this heritage of Olympism.

"It's Chamonix, it's Grenoble, it's Albertville.

"Albertville was already in 1992, and the danger is that if we do not take a position on these questions, over time, little by little, France will no longer be among the large countries, in the large sites capable to host the Winter Olympics."

Ecologists from Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes have opposed the potential hosting of the Games but have made demands in case the proposal is successful.

They are insistent on "zero net artificialisation" in terms of construction work and avoiding the use of fake snow which was prevalent at the most recent edition of the Games in Beijing last year.

They are also asking for a referendum to gauge support from the local population.

Wauquiez received criticism for his speech at the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes for failing to mention Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur or its President Renaud Muselier.

Despite that, he still underlined the importance of unity on the bid.

"The choice we made was to do it as a team, which is also very strong for me," said Wauquiez. 

"That is to say that instead of there being French division, we have, on the contrary, shown the image of reconciliation and a capacity to carry together."

To announce a decision next year, would require the IOC Executive Board to enter targeted dialogue with hosts at its final meeting of the year from November 28 to December 1 in Paris.

A complication to awarding the Games at the Session in the French capital is, under the rules of the Olympic Charter, such a decision cannot be taken at an IOC Session where the host is bidding.

That means the IOC could be required to call an Extraordinary Session if France is selected.