Three towns vie for Olympics

Nice, Grenoble and Annecy have announced their candidacy to host the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi said the city's proposed budget of 100 million euros was half that of its competitors.

He said skiing in the Alpes-Maritimes department was more reliable than that in the north Alpes because the resorts were better prepared with artificial snow.

The mountains of the Mercantour offer a wide range of skiing facilities 90 minutes drive from Nice - which is better known for its mild winter sun and hot summers.

Mr Estrosi added that the neighbouring principality of Monaco was also keen to help in the competition.

Grenoble mayor Michel Destot said the town had "an Olympic history" having already hosted the 10th Winter Olympics in 1968.

Announcing France's plan to host the Games, the president of the French National Olympic and Sporting Committee Henri Serandour said: "After the failure in July 2005 in getting the 2012 Games, we had to rebound and stay in this dynamic by defining new goals."

France's host city will be unveiled in March next year, Serandour said.

France has previously hosted three Winter Games, in 1992 in Albertville, in 1968 in Grenoble, and in Chamonix in 1924.

"We have long thought that a bid to host the Winter Olympics would be a good break from the Summer Games," he said, adding however that "to be a candidate in 2018 offers a good chance to get the Summer Olympics at a future date".

The International Olympic Committee will designate the host city for the 2018 Games in July 2011.

Photo:Mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi on the slopes at Isola 2000