The French city were shortlisted last week, along with Munich and Pyeongchang, but were warned that they could be axed if they do not change their plans and make them more compact.

Most experts have now written off Annecy's chances but Rogge has tried to encourage them not to give-up.

He said: "We're absolutely sure that, according to the experts' report, Annecy has all the possibilities to stage good Games should they adapt their concept.

"They have the time to do that."

Rogge has claimed that parallels can be drawn with London 2012, when their transport system was originally heavily criticised, leading to most people to assume that they would not triumph in a race that also featured Madrid, Moscow, Paris and New York City.
He said: "London could reassure the IOC in subsequent months that new investments would be made with the support of the Government and ultimately London won.

"An applicant city has to pass the first hurdle, and then during almost one year you are able to refine your concept."

Rogge's words are a welcome boost for Annecy's bid team, who were invited by the French Prime Minister, François Fillon to a reception at Matignon, his official residence.

Fillon, along with France's Sports Minister Roselyne Bachelot, President of the National Assembly Bernard Accoyer and several other Ministers the Prime Minister congratulated Annecy on their new status of Candidate City and claimed the Government remained fully committed to the bid.

Edgar Grospiron (pictured), the chief executive of Annecy 2018, said: "We accept this challenge with much pride.

"We are confident in the number of exceptional venues our region has to offer and will soon present a new project concentrating the
sites.

"We have a great project and a team that will make it happen.

"We have our Government backing us and also an incredible support from the general public.

"Only last Wednesday (June 23), over 30,000 people joined us on the edge of Lake Annecy to celebrate the Candidate City status.

"All this positive energy will boost our bid and send us sailing down the home stretch and over the finish line."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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