Sarkozy vows to do 'everything possible' to aid Annecy's 2018 bid

FRENCH President Nicolas Sarkozy insists his government will do ‘everything possible' to help Annecy's bid to stage the 2018 Winter Olympics.

FULLY SUPPORTIVE: French President Nicolas Sarkozy reiterates his support for Annecy's bid for the 2018 Winter Olympics (Getty Images)

Sarkozy took the opportunity to reiterate his support for the bid on an official visit to the Savoy region on Thursday to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the area becoming French.

"The government will do everything possible, you can be sure, so that Annecy, applicant for the 2018 Winter Olympics, will be chosen," said Sarkozy during an official speech in the castle of the Dukes of Savoy.

"Annecy's victory will be the victory of the entire nation, standing behind you."

Sarkozy's continued support is sure to strengthen a bid which faces stiff competition from Munich - bidding to become the first city to host the Summer and Winter Olympics - as well as Pyeongchang, who narrowly missed out on the 2010 and 2014 Games.

Edgar Grospiron, chief executive of Annecy 2018 and former Olympic freestyle skiiing champion added: "We are proud that the French chief of state is clearly backing Annecy 2018.

"And we are particularly moved that he made his announcement on the occasion of such a historic event for France."

Sarkozy, in a letter dated March 5 to International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge, confirmed his support and that of the entire French government.

Should Annecy be successful it would be the third time the Winter Olympics has been held in France after Chamonix 1924 and Albertville 1992.

The decision on who will host the 2018 Games will be made at the IOC Session in Durban in July 2011.