The Government hope that the extra funding will help the bid by the French city be more competitive against rivals Munich and Pyeongchang.

Edgar Grospiron quit as chief executive of Annecy 2018 in December claiming that he could not compete against the other cities because the campaign was being underfunded.

His successor, Charles Beigbeder, is more optimistic, however, and is hopeful of announcing a bigger cash injection into the bid following negotiations with several major firms. 

"I have several other projects with private companies which need to be finalised," Beigbeder told Associated Press in an interview published today.

"The money doesn't make everything but it's important to promote the bid."

It is a fillip for Annecy coming only a week before the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Evaluation Commission is due to begin its inspection of the bid.

Annecy is the first stop on the Commission's tour and they will follow it with visits to Pyeongchang and Munich.

They are due to begin in Annecy on February 9 and stay until February 12.

"We can't win the Games during this visit but we can lose them," Beigbeder told Associated Press. 

"They are coming to check that we can actually host the Games.

"We will be auditioned 16 times over four days and we need to be super-professional."

In an effort to boost their bid, Annecy have also appointed Britain's Andrew Craig as a consultant. 

Craig previously worked on winning bids for Vancovuer 2010, London 2012 and Sochi 2014. 

"Of course we can't bet all our money on him, but it's certainly an extra something for us," Beigbeder said.

"Promotion is really important and we need to use the best people."

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