French Olympic swimmer Florent Manaudou made history as he became the first Olympic torch carrier in France, kicking off the arrival of the Olympic flame in Marseille’s Old Port. The majestic three-mast ship carrying the flame arrived from Greece to a grand welcoming ceremony at sunset, with the French national anthem playing and a spectacular Air Force flyover.
As Manaudou carried the torch to mainland France, tens of thousands of spectators cheered while thousands more watched from balconies and windows overlooking the festivities. President Emmanuel Macron expressed pride in the moment, stating, “The flame is on French soil. The games are coming to France and are entering the lives of the French people.”
The torch, lit in Greece last month, made its way to France aboard a historic ship named Belem, which first set sail in 1896. Paris 2024 Olympics Organizing Committee President Tony Estanguet described the return of the Olympic Games to France as a “fantastic celebration,” highlighting Marseille’s passion for sports.
With safety as a top priority, Marseille deployed thousands of police officers, firefighters, bomb disposal squads, and anti-drone teams to ensure a secure environment for the torch relay. The relay will travel through iconic locations across the country before culminating in the lighting of the Olympic cauldron at a top-secret location in Paris during the opening ceremony on July 26.
Amid heavy security measures and a sense of anticipation, the Olympic spirit has truly arrived in France, marking the beginning of a momentous journey towards the Paris 2024 Olympics.