Olympic Flame Handover: Florent Manaudou to be First Torchbearer in France

Key Details from the Ceremony in Athens

On April 26, during the Olympic flame handover ceremony at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, Tony Estanguet, president of the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee, announced that swimmer Florent Manaudou will be the first torchbearer on French soil. The ceremony marked the transfer of the flame from Greek to French officials, setting the stage for its journey to Marseille.

Journey of the Olympic Flame

The Olympic flame, which was lit in Olympia on April 16, has traveled approximately 5,000 kilometers across Greece, carried by 600 bearers through significant historical sites. After a symbolic journey, the flame was handed over to France and is set to travel aboard the sailing ship Belem, arriving in Marseille on May 8.

Florent Manaudou's Symbolic Role

Florent Manaudou, a gold medalist from the 2012 London Olympics, will receive the flame in Marseille, symbolically linking the event to his sister Laure Manaudou, who was the first French torchbearer in Olympia. This selection ends speculation about Zinédine Zidane being the first bearer, although rumors persist about his potential involvement in the Paris 2024 opening ceremony.

The Flame's Route Through France

Upon arrival in Marseille, the Olympic flame will embark on a nationwide tour, carried by 10,000 torchbearers across 64 territories, including 5 overseas territories, and passing through over 400 cities. The journey will culminate in the lighting of the Olympic cauldron in the Tuileries gardens on July 26, signaling the start of the Games.

Emotional Moments and Anticipations

The handover ceremony was filled with emotional moments, especially when the flame was officially presented to Tony Estanguet. The event paid tribute to the historical ties between Greece and France and the legacy of the modern Olympic Games initiated in 1896. The anticipation builds as the flame prepares to leave Greece and make its way to French soil, promising a grand reception in Marseille.