DECISION 2018: Annecy defend suggestions of campaign budget shortfall

By Sportsbeat staff

ANNECY'S troubled bid for the 2018 Winter Olympics remains on course, insists campaign chief Charles Beigbeder.

TROUBLE: Is Annecy's 2018 Olympic bid going up in smoke, even before next month's host city election in Durban? (Annecy 2018)

The French candidate is considered the outsider of the three cities who will contest the host city election in Durban next month, with favourite Pyeongchang and Munich leading the betting.

They were already forced to revise their initial strategy following criticism from an International Olympic Committee evaluation committee while former bid leader Edgar Grosprion stepped down because he viewed his campaign budget as insufficient.

French media now also claim a lack of money is hammering the bid in the final days before the July 6th vote, alleging a £2.2 million shortfall in their funding.

But Beigbeder insists there are no issues.

"I would like to make it 100 percent clear that Annecy 2018 has a balanced budget approved by stakeholders.

"We have all of the funds necessary to compete in this race between now and the final decision in Durban.

"We fully believe this is a bid that can win and are proud of our vision of authentic Games in the heart of the mountains for the benefit the entire Olympic movement and winter sports worldwide."

© Sportsbeat 2011