The deal signed in Paris between Jean-Luc Rigaut, the Mayor of Annecy and co-chairman of Annecy 2018, and Jean-Luc Hees, Radio France chairman and chief executive, makes them the fifth supporter of the bid.

Radio France is the leading French radio broadcaster, with six complementary national stations - France Inter, France Info, France Culture, France Musique, Fip and Le Mouv' - and 42 local stations making up the France Bleu network.

As part of the partnership Radio France will provide Annecy 2018 with airtime on its national stations - France Inter and France Info - as well as across the France Bleu network from next month.

"We are delighted to have a media Group of Radio France's calibre as one of our "supporters," said Rigaut.

"When it comes to a project with a regional and a national dimension, such as Annecy 2018, it's essential to know that you can count on the support of media partners.

"But, there is more to this partnership than a high media profile.

"For us Radio France above all represents a shared commitment, a common role: serving our region in its economic and cultural development, for the benefit of all its inhabitants, while promoting the inherent values of a project keen to stay in touch with its human dimension, set in the heart of the French mountains and respecting its extraordinary natural environment."

Hees said: "Radio France Group is very pleased to get behind Annecy 2018 and support the French bid to host the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

"Radio France leads the way in providing sporting coverage; with nearly 50 branch studios and a peerless local network, we have the biggest sports department in European radio.

"The voice of sport reaches across all the stations covering the major sporting events.

"It makes total sense for us to support this project with our expertise, particularly with three of our stations: France Inter, France Info and France Bleu."


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