The sporting venues for the 2030 Winter Games have been confirmed today, with events primarily set for Lyon and the French Alps. However, long track speed skating will break new ground by being held in the Netherlands.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed the location allocation for ice sports and alpine skiing on Wednesday. Lyon is set to host curling, figure skating, and short track speed skating across three sites, including Parc Olympique Lyonnais. Alpine skiing speed events, such as downhill and super-G, will be in Courchevel, while Val d'Isere will stage the slalom events.
The decision to hold long track speed skating at the Thialf arena in Heerenveen, The Netherlands, was a condition agreed with the IOC to reduce costs. This marks the first time an Olympic event will be held in a different independent nation to the host city or region.
The 2030 Games will feature 16 different sporting disciplines, including the addition of freeride skiing and snowboarding, plus synchronised figure skating. However, nordic combined has been removed from the programme.