The French city, the object of continuous protests by a vociferous lobbying group, is considered a massive underdog in the three-way fight to stage the games.

Bid officials are in a race against time to make up significant ground and, as a result, managed to persuade Wenger to swop the Arsenal training ground for Annecy 2018's presentation to delegates at one of the world's most prestigious sports conferences.

"I think the French Alps would host a spectacular festival of Winter Sports," said Wenger, who was mobbed by reporters and cameramen as he toured the convention centre at Westminster.

"The Alps are recognised all over the world so Annecy 2018 would provide a perfect platform to raise the profile of winter sports everywhere and inspire a new generation of youngsters.

"When I was managing Monaco in the French league I would take them to Annecy to train so I know it is an area of incredible natural beauty and sporting heritage. "


"I also know athletes have been centrally involved with their plans and that is important as it means the competitors can perform at their best and spectators get to watch the best contest."

"I'm fully behind Annecy's campaign for the 2018 Winter and Paralympic Games and I'm sure the support of France's passionate sporting public will drive the team on in the final phase of the campaign."

Wenger, who has been working in England for 15 years, was an official ambassador for England's ultimately doomed 2018 World Cup campaign.

Asked by reporters whether the process of electing Olympic hosts was more democratic than that of World Cup candidates by FIFA, Wenger replied: "I think on the Olympic side they have worked a lot on the way things are done - that's maybe a good example to take for football."


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