The president of the 2030 Winter Olympics Organising Committee, Edgar Grospiron, has officially stepped down after 18 months in the role, raising significant concerns over the governance of the upcoming Games. His resignation, confirmed during an executive board meeting on Thursday, follows a turbulent period marked by internal strife.

Grospiron, a 1992 Olympic moguls champion, indicated that his decision was made after “months of tension” behind the scenes. He stated, “I draw the conclusion that the conditions are not met for me to continue this.” His exit comes just six months after chief executive Cyril Linette resigned due to “insurmountable disagreements” with Grospiron, leading to the appointment of Vincent Roberti as Linette’s successor in May.

The 2030 French Alps executive board expressed that Grospiron’s departure is part of a “deliberate, organised and fully assumed transition,” aimed at facilitating the project’s governance. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) acknowledged Grospiron’s contributions and expressed commitment to collaborating closely with the Organising Committee moving forward.

Several other high-profile figures, including Anne Murac and Arthur Richer, have also left the project, contributing to a climate of uncertainty. Despite these challenges, French sports minister Marina Ferrari reassured the public, stating, “There is no concern about what comes next... We are confident about the future of the Alpes project.”

Tensions escalated earlier this year during the Milano Cortina Winter Games, where Grospiron faced potential ousting amid a series of senior departures. Stakeholders reported that “trust had been broken” with him, following a contentious executive board meeting on July 23. An extraordinary general assembly is set for September 14 to establish an interim president while searching for Grospiron’s successor.