The Organizing Committee presented the official route of the Olympic torch relay for the next games. The presentation was held today at the Sorbonne University, a historic and symbolic place for the Olympic movement, since Pierre de Coubertin gave the founding speech of the Modern Olympic Games in that same place.
While Marseille will be the kick-off city for the tour in France, the fire will ignite in Olympia, Greece on April 16. This first step is characteristic of each Olympic Game before leaving for the host city.
The tour was coordinated in collaboration with the territories that will participate in the relay. Once arrived in France, it will begin its 68-day journey crossing 65 French territories with the help of 10,000 forerunners. As part of the tour, some historic and iconic places in the host country will be visited.
The president of the Organizing Committee, Tony Estanguet, was thrilled by the launch of the relay: “The tour will highlight the incredible breadth of our country: the legacy, the landscapes, the museums, the performing arts... And of course, its habitants!”
For her part, Amélie Oudéa-Castera, Minister for Sport and the Olympic and Paralympic Games also said: “It’s going to be beautiful! For months and years, local groups have been heavily involved in the organization of these Games, which will take place in seven regions and 11 departments. These are the most decentralized Games in history. And it’s important to have the overseas territories covered; this part of the relay is going to be wonderful.”
Among the peculiarities of this event is that the members of the Paris 2024 Club will be able to nominate a person to be a forerunner. From there, 500 people will be chosen to carry the Olympic flame. Torch bearers will be selected based on their commitment, dedication and actions.
In addition, the Relay will have prestigious captains such as the swimming Manaudou siblings, Laure and Florent, Mona Francis, a Paralympic triathlete and Dimitri Pavadé, a Paralympic long jump athlete. In previous editions, other figures were part of this event. Michel Platini participated in the Albertville tour in 1992, Antonio Rebollo in Barcelona 1992, Mohamed Ali for Atlanta 1996, Cathy Freeman in Sydney 2000 and David Beckham was a figure in the London 2012 relay.
For its part, the Paralympic torch will be lit in Stoke Mandeville, United Kingdom. At the end of August, this torch will cross the English Channel for a tour of France before arriving in Paris.
The cities that are not part of the route do not do so for financial reasons. To participate in the relay, each city paid 180,000 euros, an amount that presents a real challenge for many territories, especially rural departments.
The promise made by the organization that “90% of French people will be able to see the flame less than an hour from home” will not be possible. In any case, this relay promises to be a party that will have its long-awaited outcome with the start of the Games.
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