Marseille has dozens or even hundreds of symbols. Starting with Zinédine Zidane, the French football legend from Castellane, undoubtedly the most appreciated and representative personality of Marseille… or not.
Indeed, “Zizou” was expected to light the “cauldron” of the Olympic flame this Wednesday, May 8, 2024. But it was ultimately another emblematic figure of the Phocaean City who stole the show when no one expected it. : the rapper Jul.
A third mystery torchbearer
This Wednesday, May 8, 2024, the Olympic flame indeed arrived on French soil and it was Marseille which was the first French city to welcome it. The flame was on board the Belem, the legendary three-masted ship.
French swimmer Florent Manaudou, on board the ship, lit the first torch and crossed the Old Port aboard the Belem before it docked on the quay.
Laure Manaudou’s brother walked a few meters, torch in hand, before handing it over to Paralympic athlete Nantenin Keïta. A third person was planned to carry the Olympic flame on the Quai de la Fraternité in Marseille and rumors continued to announce Zinédine Zidane as the person chosen.
Jul “replaces” Zidane and lights the Marseille cauldron
Finally, hidden under a hood, it is Jul who created the surprise and lit the cauldron marking the start of the flame’s journey through France to Paris for 79 days. The Marseille rapper even sang a chorus of his title The faultallowing the 150,000 people present to enjoy themselves before the concert planned for the evening.
This Thursday, May 9, 2024, other athletes and artists will take turns to present the Olympic flame to the people of Marseille. Basile Boli, Jean-Pierre Papin, Alonzo, Didier Drogba, and even Soprano will have the honor of carrying the torch to light a new cauldron in a legendary place in the Phocaean City: the Vélodrome stadium.
