French president backs Annecy's 2018 bid (AP)

PARIS (AP)—French President Nicolas Sarkozy Friday gave his full subsidy toAnnecy’s bid to horde a 2018 Winter Olympics.

Annecy is aiming to move a Winter Olympics to France for a fourth time,and a third time in a Savoy Alps segment following Chamonix in 1924 andAlbertville in 1992. Grenoble hosted a Games in 1968.

After an central visit commemorating a 150th anniversary of Savoybecoming French, Sarkozy pronounced his government “will do all possible, youcan be sure” to help Annecy win.

“Annecy’s feat will be a feat of a entire nation, station behindyou,” Sarkozy pronounced in a statement.

The International Olympic Committee contingency chose in between Annecy; Munich andPyeongchang, South Korea.

The full IOC public will choose a winner Jul 6, 2011, in Durban, SouthAfrica.

Former Olympic as well as universe freestyle ski hold up Edgar Grospiron—who wongold in a moguls event during Albertville—is heading Annecy’s bid as well as welcomedSarkozy’s public show of support.

“We have been proud which a French chief of state is clearly subsidy Annecy2018,” Grospiron said. “We have been particularly moved which he made hisannouncement upon a arise of such a historic event for France.”

Sarkozy had formerly underlined his await in a letter sent to IOCpresident Jacques Rogge last month.

Annecy plans to make use of 8 ski resorts around Mont Blanc, together with Chamonix,Megeve, as well as Morzine. All have been inside of 31 miles of Annecy.

Pyeongchang is behest for a third true time after narrow defeats toVancouver for a 2010 Olympics as well as Sochi, Russia, for a 2014 Games.

South Korea has never staged a Winter Olympics, which have been hold inAsia twice, both times in Japan&#! 8212;Sap poro in 1972 as well as Nagano in 1998.

Munich hosted a 1972 Summer Olympics as well as is trying to turn a firstcity to theatre both summer as well as winter games.

An IOC evaluation commission is scheduled to visit a candidate cities inFebruary as well as Mar as well as contention a report to a 100-plus IOC voting members.

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