The Olympic flame is poised to arrive in the French port of Marseille on Wednesday, greeted by a crowd of up to 150,000 people, in a significant test of the ambitious plans for the Paris Games.
The transfer of the Olympic flame from a 19th-century tall ship onto land will signal the commencement of a 12,000-kilometre (7,500-mile) torch relay across mainland France and its overseas territories.
Organisers anticipate that this public spectacle, occurring just 79 days before the Paris Games, will help generate excitement following controversies over ticket prices and ongoing security concerns.
Chief organiser Tony Estanguet expressed anticipation, stating, “It’s something we’ve been waiting for for a very long time. It’s here. One hundred years after the last games, the games are coming home.”
The upcoming Paris opening ceremony on July 26 marks the city’s return as host after a century, with previous editions held in 1924 and 1900.
France, considering itself central to the modern Olympic movement, saw the Games’ revival led by French aristocrat Pierre de Coubertin, drawing inspiration from ancient Greek practices.
After the challenges faced by the Tokyo 2021 Games and the controversial Rio de Janeiro 2016 Games, the Paris Olympics hold significance for the global sporting event.
The transfer of the Olympic flame from the Belem, a historic French trade vessel, will be accompanied by over 1,000 boats, culminating in an anticipated audience of 150,000 in Marseille’s renovated marina, the venue for sailing events.
Security measures involving around 6,000 security personnel underscore the seriousness of the event, given the country’s elevated terror alert status.
The torch relay will feature prominent athletes like swimmer Florent Manadou, NBA star Tony Parker, and footballer Didier Drogba, while Marseille’s Greek heritage adds symbolism to the occasion.
Paris organisers promise a memorable event, with sports events spread across temporary venues around the capital, minimising financial costs and environmental impact.
The torch relay tradition reflects the ancient Olympics, where a sacred flame burned throughout the Games.
The Paris Olympics are scheduled from July 26 to August 11, followed by the Paralympics from August 28 to September 8.
