Few in the Pyrenees expected that Felipe Faci would answer this question. The Spanish Olympic Committee (COE) announced Aragon’s bid for the 2034 Games led from Jaca. It came as a surprise to some, yet many doubted its viability unless Catalonia or Navarra joined the valleys in a broader national effort.
The scene is Jaca, where all eyes are fixed on the decision. This city is seen as a cradle of snow sports, from alpine skiing to curling, and as a benchmark on both national and international stages. Mayor Juan Manuel Ramón congratulated the Minister of Education, Culture and Sports on choosing to keep faith in the Olympic dream, even as COE president Alejandro Blanco paused the 2030 bid amid tension and intense headlines.
“I won’t single out who bears the most responsibility for any setback; everyone involved in the negotiations shares responsibility”, declared the mayor, stressing that the candidacy should become a national effort with Catalonia and Navarra at its side.
More time
“We now have multiple years to develop across every level because we can’t focus on four or five Olympians alone—we must cultivate more top-tier athletes”, said Ramón. The city has facilities like the Sports Technical Center in Jaca, but they are not enough on their own.
There is an ongoing sports project in the municipality that calls for more training spaces. Plans include hosting specialized, high-performance centers for biathlon and curling. This approach is hailed as essential in Jacetania. “But why are we the only place with both a pavilion and a public ice area?” asked the mayor, noting that any bid must be sustainable and consider the resources municipalities already possess, rather than forcing a perfect template from above.
“The 2030 option is history; the target now is 2034, and work must begin because there is a long road ahead—finishing and improving existing facilities among the tasks”, Ramón told local policymakers.
In this bid centered on Jaca, the Aragon, Tena, and Benasque valleys would host the events. “That would make sense”, the mayor commented. Canfranc also weighs in, lamenting a lost opportunity, while Benasque voices greater skepticism. Aragón is positioned to present itself for 2034, but observers worry that a national nomination would be necessary to secure deals with Catalonia, a prospect many doubt can be achieved without broader regional support.
“Now the focus must shift to developing athletes who can compete at the highest level in skiing and represent Spain under optimal conditions”, he added, balancing the negotiation dynamics between Aragon, Catalonia, and the COE. “More time, more experience, and better facilities will help us host more national competitions by that year.”
Main formula
In Canfranc, Fernando Sánchez refrained from blaming anyone for political missteps. “The Aragon-Catalonia approach must continue with resolve because Barcelona and Zaragoza are strong benchmarks, and their example will lend strength to the plan.”
Sánchez praised the Aragonese Government for selecting Jaca—a logical call, given the city’s status as a reference point, a guarantor, and a municipality tied to the Olympic snow dream. “Jaca should lead, but Aragón cannot act alone; broader support is essential.” The sentiment came from the mayor himself.
The Canfranc and Jaca leaders, along with the Benasque authorities, stressed the need for realism. “Jaca embodies Olympism—a strong brand—but some events simply cannot be staged here. The Olympics must adapt to the regions”, one official noted.
The most critical voice belonged to Sallent’s mayor, Jesús Gericó, who warned that the current government might not survive the next elections. “The priority is to strengthen the Pyrenees as a whole; the focus should not be solely on Jaca”, he argued, expressing concern about the path through Aragón and Catalonia and the COE.
“There is a lack of doctors; primary care is under threat, and Felipe Faci announcing a 2034 bid with Jaca is not acceptable”, Gerico charged.
Gerico again called for removing Faci and did not advocate removing Javier Lambán, noting that Lambán would not steer a future proposal’s negotiations, the mayor emphasized.
No one in the Pyrenees anticipated Felipe Faci’s response. The COE confirmed Aragon’s 2034 bid led by Jaca, a move seen as plausible but requiring Catalonia or Navarra in the union for valleys. This moment unfolds in Jaca, where the spotlight rests on Faci and the wider Olympic ambitions.
The city remains a symbol of snow, alpine sports, and curling, a benchmark for national and international audiences. The mayor extended congratulations to the Education, Culture and Sports ministry on continuing the Olympic dream, despite tensions that have marked the COE’s timeline. The negotiations, though challenging, are framed as a joint effort toward a shared goal.
“It is not productive to lay blame for every setback; those involved must shoulder the responsibility together”, the mayor said, underscoring that a national coordination with Catalonia and Navarra would fortify the candidacy.
More time
“We have years to build across all fronts because the aim isn’t to parade a handful of Olympians but to nurture a wider pool of exceptional athletes”, Ramón explained. The city has resources like the Sports Technical Center, though additional training spaces are necessary.
The municipality is advancing a sports project that calls for more venues. It plans to concentrate on biathlon and curling as core high-performance disciplines. This strategy is seen as indispensable for Jacetania, with the mayor noting that having a pavilion with a public ice area is not enough if the nomination lacks sustainability and alignment with existing municipal capabilities.
“2030 is gone; the focus now is 2034, and work must start in earnest to improve or finish current facilities”, Ramón told politicians. The bid would place the Aragon, Tena, and Benasque valleys at the center of the competition, a configuration that the mayor described as sensible. Canfranc also laments the missed chance, while Benasque is more skeptical, questioning whether Aragón can push ahead without broader regional backing and deals with Catalonia.
“We must ready our skiers to be at the peak and ready to represent Spain with the best possible conditions”, the speaker added, highlighting the potential to host more national-level events as experience grows and facilities expand.
Main formula
In Canfranc, Fernando Sánchez refused to blame anyone for political setbacks. “The synergy between Aragon and Catalonia must remain robust, since Barcelona and Zaragoza serve as key benchmarks, reinforcing the overall effort.”
Sánchez congratulated the Aragonese Government for choosing Jaca. The decision aligns with a city that has become a symbol of the Olympic dream, a guarantee of momentum. “Jaca should lead, but Aragón cannot act alone; broader support is essential”, the mayor concluded.
The leaders of Canfranc, Jaca, and Benasque emphasized the need for realism. “Jaca is an exemplar of Olympism and a powerful brand, but some events simply cannot take place here. The Olympics must adapt to the regions”, one official said.
Jesús Gericó, the Sallent mayor, stood out for his blunt stance: “This government may not be in power after the next elections.” He urged strengthening the Pyrenees as a whole and cautioned against over-focusing on Jaca as the sole path forward. The path through Aragón, Catalonia, and COE must be navigated carefully.
“There is a shortage of doctors and primary care is fraying. Felipe Faci’s 2034 bid with Jaca is untenable”, Gerico argued. He called for the dismissal of Faci, while not seeking the removal of Javier Lambán, stressing that Lambán would not be the one steering negotiations for a future proposal.”