December 2 - Annecy has launched its logo for its bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympics, claiming that it reflects the powerful regional support for the bid.


It has been released to coincide with the four-day applicant cities seminar arranged by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne, which opens today.

Annecy are considered the outsiders in a race that also includes Munich and Pyeongchang.

The logo was launched at a ceremony on the banks of Lake Annecy by Jean-Luc Riga, the Mayor of Annecy, Christina Monteil, the President of the General Council of Haute-Savoie and several bid ambassadors, including Aime Jacquet, who was the coach when France won the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

Eric Fournier, the Mayor of Chamonix, was also invited on stage to demonstrate the commitment of the whole region of Haute-Savoie to the bid.

Annecy plans to officially launch its bid at a major press conference next month.

The IOC is due to announce the host city for the 2018 Olympics at its Session in Durban on July 6, 2011.


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