For two and a half months, the Torch will pass from hand to hand. There will be 10,000, in all, to pass on this universal witness. Among them, anonymous people elected based on meritorious activity and values corresponding to the Olympic spirit. But also public figures.
For the launch of this relay, Marseille will serve as support for a panel that is as prestigious as it is eclectic. Many trends will be represented. In the field of culture, in particular. In turn, the comedians Redouane Bougheraba and Nicole Ferroni, the TV host Camille Combal and the cook Alexandre Mazzia will take the stage, as well as the rappers Alonzo and Soprano in the spotlight, from the day before, during a free show at the Old Port. The last named will even have the honor of bringing the flame to the roof of the Vélodrome.
Olympique de Marseille and Olympic Games
On the road to Vel’, in fact, notable figures from OM of yesterday and today have also naturally been selected to associate Olympique de Marseille with these Olympic Games. European champions in 1993, Basile Boli (scorer in the final) and Éric Di Meco will be part of a flamboyant team which also included Jean-Pierre Papin (Ballon d’Or 1991), Didier Drogba (finalist of the cup UEFA in 2004) and Valentin Rongier, usual executive of the current OM, a club that viscerally supports Colette Cataldo, founder of the Dodgers supporters group and also invited to carry the torch. Just like the former professional footballer (144 caps for the French team), Louisa Necib, a native of the city.
The CNM and Tony Parker in this circle of celebrities
But Marseille sport is also the Cercle des Nageurs. In addition to Florent Manaudou, the very first bearer of the flame on Wednesday evening, Fabien Gilot and Frédérick Bousquet, former headliners of the CNM, will enter the loop of this relay. Active or retired from sports, other athletes will be there. With, first of all, Tony Parker, four-time NBA champion (between 2003 and 2014). Another French international basketball player, Nando de Colo will be present in a circle of sports celebrities completed by Denis Gargaud-Chanut (Olympic champion in canoe-kayak in Rio), the skateboarder Vincent Matheron, the freestyle skier Sébastien Foucras (Olympic vice-champion 1998), fencer Pascale Trinquet-Hachin (triple Olympic medalist) and Anouk Garnier, obstacle course specialist.
Three more days and all these lovely people will be able to take off.
