The secret was well kept until the last moment. It is July 26, 2024, and as Paris prepares to welcome the world to the Olympic Games, the identity of the last person to light the Olympic cauldron in the Tuileries Gardens during the opening ceremony remains a mystery. But not for Tony Estanguet.
This Friday morning, the president of the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee has among his many missions of the day the duty of informing two legends of French sport that they have been chosen for this event. It is on the phone that he announces the big news to Marie-José Pérec.
She had barely recognized Tony Estanguet’s voice when emotion already overwhelmed the triple Olympic champion. “I’m calling you about tonight’s opening ceremony. I’d like you to be the female athlete who lights the Paris 2024 cauldron,” says Tony Estanguet, filmed by France Télévisions cameras.
“No one has ever given me such a beautiful gift.”
After a moment of silence, the Guadeloupean woman can’t hold back her tears. “It makes me cry,” she says between sobs. “Ah, that’s cool! But tell me it’s yes, anyway,” Estanguet smiles, also moved. “I don’t know how to thank you.” “Well, tell me yes and it’ll be perfect.” And Pérec replies, still in tears: “It makes me so happy, you have no idea. No one has ever given me such a beautiful gift.”
A very emotional moment shared by the two triple Olympic champions: “Ah, it’s magical, you gave me energy for this long day that awaits us,” exclaims Tony Estanguet. And Marie-José Pérec apologizes: “Sorry for crying.”
A few hours later, at the end of a memorable opening ceremony on the Seine, she will accompany, hand in hand, Teddy Riner before lighting the Olympic cauldron in the Tuileries Gardens. A suspended moment that will forever mark the history of French sport.
- RMC Sport
