From this Wednesday, May 8, the day of the flame’s arrival in Marseille (Bouches-du-Rhône), until July 26, the day of the opening ceremony in Paris, a festive atmosphere will reign on the roads of France. Although the flames are under very strict protection, the general public will be able to get close to the two columns, which will cross residential areas and major iconic French landmarks. Every day before the cauldron is lit, around 7:30 p.m., events will be held in the intermediate cities.
One relay, two convoys
Over 69 days, the flame will travel through 65 territories, including 6 overseas, and pass through more than 400 cities. The principle will be the same in every department. On a normal day, the flames stop at seven points (more in Ile-de-France), but after two convoys for logistical reasons.
On average, the “engagement” convoy, which will set off at 8 a.m., will connect the four largest residential areas and end its journey in the scenic city. The “fast” convoy, which begins its route at 9:30 am, connects three iconic places, sometimes difficult to reach.
If two torches are used, the torches are never lit in two different locations and the two relays operate alternately. One hundred porters rotate each day, mostly in the “mandatory” convoy, with a limited number in the “maneuver” convoy. The day will end with a tour of the intermediate city before the cauldron is lit at 7:30 p.m.
The flame is under very close supervision
A sacred fire that must be guarded very carefully. The Olympic flame will be at the center of an impressive security system from its arrival in Marseille, France this Wednesday, May 8, until the Olympic cauldron is lit during the opening ceremony on July 26. Six thousand police and gendarmes will be mobilized in Bouches-du-Rhône on Wednesday when the Belen arrives at the Old Port, with swimmer Florent Manaudou as the first torchbearer on French soil.
The 2012 Olympic champion in the 50m freestyle and 10,000, as well as several others who will carry the Olympic torch, will be surrounded by a “bubble” of nearly 200 police officers. The CRS or mobile gendarmes will be responsible for opening the roads and, if necessary, scaring off demonstrators who want to disrupt the torch relay until the motorcycles and especially the 18 “runners” arrive.
The latter, again policemen and gendarmes, will form a security cordon around the bearer of the fire and will have to ensure that the public does not get too close, or even arrest anyone who tries to attack the fire.
To this system we must also add the elite gendarmes from GIGN, who are on reserve, and law enforcement officers assigned to combat drones. Finally, the last category that should get as close to the fire as possible: its guardians. Soldiers, police officers, gendarmes and civil security officers make up this body responsible for day and night surveillance of the fire lit at the ancient site of Olympia on April 16. Three guards boarded the Belem with a spare flame and did not lose sight of it.
What are the authorities afraid of? Unless the terrorist risk is completely eliminated, the Home Office is particularly wary of mobilizing activists who will try to take advantage of the global media echo of a fire that has been extinguished, stolen, destroyed or simply stopped. “They are not so much interested in the flames as they are in presenting their demands on television,” said Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin. Whose services reviewed the resumes of all torchbearers.
Animations throughout the route
Even if security is tight, the public will be able to get close to the convoys and take part in events organized by the fire’s sponsors, Banque Populaire, Caisse d’Epargne and Coca-Cola. Everyone in the engagement column has tanks.
The public will be able to try to score basketball hoops and handball goals installed on a platform in Sberbank’s colors to encourage donations to local associations. Sberbank and Banque Populaire will also allow viewers to try their luck and win tickets to the Olympic and Paralympic Games through the application.
Active panel in every intermediate city
There are several events planned in the stopping town, starting at 3:00 pm, with the last bearer of the day expected to arrive around 7:30 pm, accompanied by a guard of honor. In this way, communities and sponsors of the torch relay will bring to life the active panel (legacy of Paris 2024) through demonstrations of urban sports and various shows.
Basketball and handball classes will be held in the 150 m² Sberbank premises dedicated to team sports supported by the bank. They will be supervised by federation coaches on a specially equipped field. Banque Populaire’s stand will be dedicated to the sea and ocean conservation. Visitors will be able to take a crew photo with a lantern on the deck of the boat, learn sailor’s knots or even challenge Armel Le Cléac, skipper of the Banque Populaire XI, on a simulator.
The 300 m2 Coca-Cola Village will offer a “musical and festive atmosphere”, drink tastings and numerous events. Spectators will be able to take photos with the torch. Concerts will also take place in six cities: Marseille (this Wednesday, May 8), Rennes (Saturday, June 1), Saint-Etienne (Tuesday, June 21), Paris, Place de la République (Monday, July 15), La Courneuve (Thursday, July 25) and Bobigny (Tuesday, August 27) for the Paralympic relay.
Source: Le Parisien
I have worked in the news industry for over 10 years. I have a keen interest in sports and have written for many different publications. I am currently working as an author at 24 News Recorder. I cover mostly sports news but also write about other topics such as current affairs and politics. I have a strong interest in social media and how it can be used to engage with audiences.
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