The torch relay is a tradition that continues at each Olympiad. Lit according to ancient tradition on April 16, 2024 in the sanctuary of Olympia in Greece, it reached Athens from where it boarded the Belem to cross the Mediterranean to Marseille where, on May 8, its journey in France began. It is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the history of France.
This is how we could see it in the caves of Lascaux, the archaeological site of Alesia or medieval cities such as Carcassonne, the Palace of Versailles, Mont Saint Michel or the castles of the Loire, Verdun and the landing beaches. We could also highlight the presence of great names such as Joan of Arc in Orléans, Robert Schuman in Scy-Chazelles, Charles de Gaulle in Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises. She wandered across France, highlighting beautiful landscapes such as Mount Canigou, the Verdon Regional Park, the Pic du Midi and the most beautiful coasts.
Between June 7 and 17, she crossed the Atlantic, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific on the occasion of the Ocean Relay to go to Guadeloupe, Guyana, Martinique, French Polynesia, New Caledonia and Reunion.
A first crew composed of French champions was composed of Armel Le Cléac’h (fastest sailor around the world in a monohull, surrounded by Marie-José Pérech, legend of French sport and triple athletics champion. Marine Lorphelin who promotes health sports on the Relay. Alexis Michalik, interpreter of Olivier de Kersauson’s role. Hugo Roellinger, French chef with two stars, committed to sustainable gastronomy and holder of a green star in 2020.
The second crew celebrates the success of French athletes from Overseas, yesterday, today and tomorrow. It is composed of Laura Flessel, the most decorated fencer in history. Coralie Balmy, quadruple freestyle champion and bronze medalist at London 2012. Kéni Pipérol-Dampied, skipper who distinguished himself on the Route du Rhum 2022 on a class40, 100% ecological and with apprentices from all trades; Thomas Debierre, ISA Junior World Champion and Senior Nations World Champion in 2016, Junior French Champion in 2018.
The Torch Relay promotes all those who want to undertake, show audacity and sublimate French know-how and perpetuate traditions. For its president, Tony Estanguet, “the Ocean Relay is an exceptional chapter of the Paris 2024 Torch Relay”.
The Flame in Paris
The flame is present in Paris on July 14 and 15. It arrived on July 14 and took part in the traditional parade, this year on Avenue Foch. From 1 p.m. to 11 p.m., it passed along Avenue des Champs Elysées, in front of the National Assembly, Place Vendôme, the Louvre Museum and Place du Colonel Fabien.
After the concert at Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, we were able to attend the lighting of the cauldron by Yannick Noah who had received it from the hands of basketball players Rudy Gobert and Nicolas Batum. The flame then spent the night in the salons of the Hôtel de Ville where the public was able to come and watch from 12:30 a.m. to 5 a.m. After the Marseillaise, the fireworks were fired at the Eiffel Tower. It symbolized a series of tributes to the capital and the values of the Olympics and represented a runner drawn by drones in the sky during the second fireworks display. On July 15, the relay set off at 8:15 a.m. from the Porte de la Chapelle.
July 15
On Monday morning, the flame leaves the Porte de la Chapelle where the Adidas Arena, built for the intramural Olympics, stands. She goes to Montmartre, to the Sacré Coeur and then in front of the Moulin Rouge where the dancers performed a French Cancan. She then heads to the Etoile, the Champs Elysées where former Olympic flag bearers took turns. Among them, Christine Caron, Marie-Josée Pérec, Laura Flessel, David Douillet, the French pastry chef Nina Métayer, the singer Amir. The flame will return to the Batille before joining Beleville where a choir will pay tribute to the singer Edith Piaf. At the end of the day, the judoka Clarisse Agbégnénou brandishes the Olympic flame from the top of the Eiffel Tower. To close this day, the artists Jain, Ofenbach and Mentissa were selected based on their actions that bring to life at least one of the 3 energies of Paris 2024: Sport, Collective and Territory.
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