French President Nicolas Sarkozy Friday gave his full backing to Annecy's bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Annecy is aiming to bring the Winter Olympics to France for the fourth time, and a third time in the Savoy Alps region following Chamonix in 1924 and Albertville in 1992. Grenoble hosted the Games in 1968.
After an official visit commemorating the 150th anniversary of Savoy becoming French, Sarkozy said his government ``will do everything possible, you can be sure'' to help Annecy win.
``Annecy's victory will be the victory of the entire nation, standing behind you,'' Sarkozy said in a statement.
The International Olympic Committee must chose between Annecy; Munich and Pyeongchang, South Korea.
The full IOC assembly will choose the winner July 6, 2011, in Durban, South Africa.
Former Olympic and world freestyle ski champion Edgar Grospiron - who won gold in the moguls event at Albertville - is heading Annecy's bid and welcomed Sarkozy's public show of support.
``We are proud that the French chief of state is clearly backing Annecy 2018,'' Grospiron said. ``We are particularly moved that he made his announcement on the occasion of such a historic event for France.''
Sarkozy had previously underlined his support in a letter sent to IOC president Jacques Rogge last month.
Annecy plans to use eight ski resorts around Mont Blanc, including Chamonix, Megeve, and Morzine. All are within 31 miles of Annecy.
Pyeongchang is bidding for the third straight time after narrow defeats to Vancouver for the 2010 Olympics and Sochi, Russia, for the 2014 Games.
South Korea has never staged the Winter Olympics, which have been held in Asia twice, both times in Japan - Sapporo in 1972 and Nagano in 1998.
Munich hosted the 1972 Summer Olympics and is trying to become the first city to stage both summer and winter games.
An IOC evaluation commission is scheduled to visit the candidate cities in February and March and submit a report to the 100-plus IOC voting members.
