14:55
Belem continues its parade
Along the coast of Marseille, the three-masted ship continues its maritime parade, accompanied by more than 1000 boats. At sea or far away, from land, the public can enjoy the show.
13:48
The Belem at sea until the end of the day
There are more and more spectators around the Old Port of Marseille, but they will have to wait until the end of the day to witness the start of the torch relay on French soil. In the meantime, the “sacred fire” is preserved on Belem.
13:07
Authorities mobilized to ensure security around Belem
12:34
Tony Estanguet reunites with the Belem scouts
Tony Estanguet, the president of the Organizing Committee for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, approached the Belem from another boat. “It’s so nice to see them again,” slips the triple Olympic champion into the microphone of France 2.
12:20
“The real kick-off of the Games”, according to Amélie Oudéa-Castéra
“That’s it, the party is here! enjoys Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, the Minister of Sports and the Olympic Games, on the France 2 set.
“It’s a bit like the real kick-off to our Olympic Games, it should create a moment of unity. (…) We must open the Games in a big way and live them to the fullest from now on,” she continued, while Belem continued its parade in the harbor of Marseille.
11:59
Florent Manaudou wants to “take maximum energy” from the public
The first bearer of the flame on French soil, Florent Manaudou will begin his relay shortly after 7 p.m. this Wednesday evening. “I realized that there were a lot of people,” explained the swimmer on TF1. I know there will also be a lot of viewers. I want to take as much energy as possible from all the French and foreigners who are in Marseille for the arrival of the flame. »
11:41
The first images of the maritime parade
The Belem, surrounded by a thousand boats, is currently parading in the northern harbor of Marseille. Discover the first images.
The boats sound sirens and horns to celebrate the arrival of the Olympic flame.
11:20
The “big day” in Marseille
” This is the big day ! », wrote Benoit Payan on his X account this Wednesday, May 8, as the Olympic flame approaches the Old Port. The mayor of France’s second city posted a photo with Florent Manaudou. The Olympic 50m freestyle champion will be the first bearer of the flame on French soil.
11:05
A drone show from Tuesday evening
The festivities surrounding the arrival of the flame began this Tuesday in Marseille, including a show of some 800 drones organized and visible from the Old Port. Among the figures represented: the Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica, the Paris 2024 logo accompanied by the Olympic rings and the Belem.
20,000 spectators attended this first Olympic evening, ending with fireworks.
10:40
What to expect during the maritime parade?
More than 1000 boats are preparing to celebrate the arrival of the Olympic flame in France during this nautical parade. They found themselves this morning in the “north harbor” of Marseille, opposite the working-class neighborhoods of the city, then from 11 a.m. they will follow the Belem which will travel to the south harbor as far as Goudes. Belem which will then stop between the Frioul islands and the Old Port around 3:30 p.m.
10:18
Short stories from the Olympic torch relays
Boat, horse or space shuttle, the Olympic flame has experienced almost every travel condition imaginable over time. Sometimes a propaganda tool, the Olympic relay is most often a symbol of sharing.
10:04
The cauldron is in place
The Olympic cauldron will be lit this evening, after the arrival of the flame in the Old Port. Impatience is growing in Marseille, before this day full of activities.
09:54
Who will carry the flame to Marseille?
Florent Manaudou will be the first torchbearer of the Olympic flame on French soil. He will pick it up at 7:45 p.m. in the Old Port. This Thursday, May 9, other celebrities will take over, such as Didier Drogba, Louisa Necib, Tony Parker, Soprano and Jean-Pierre Papin.
09:46
Behind the scenes of the crossing
Departing from the port of Piraeus, Greece, on April 27, the Olympic flame crossed the Mediterranean aboard the Belem. During her twelve days of travel, she was accompanied by the crew of the three-masted ship and sixteen young scouts chosen from all over France.
09:34
“An incredible adventure”
09:27
Fever grips Marseille
The city is preparing to welcome the Olympic flame in a festive and friendly atmosphere, even if security measures have been reinforced.
09:20
The program of the day
The Belem and the Olympic flame will reach the harbor of Marseille around 11 a.m. They will stay there until 5 p.m. for a big maritime parade. The public will then gather in the Old Port to attend several artistic performances. Florent Manaudou will collect the flame at 7:45 p.m., then light the first Olympic cauldron, on the Quai de la Fraternité.
09:14
The Belem seen off the coast of Marseille
09:11
Hello everyone !
Please follow the arrival of the Olympic flame in Marseille on Le Parisien, this Wednesday, May 8, 2024.
Context
A historic arrival
- The Olympic flame arrives this Wednesday, May 8 in France, in Marseille, after crossing the Mediterranean aboard the Belem.
- The three-masted vessel was seen off the coast of Marseille in the morning, around 8 a.m. He will remain in the harbor of the Marseille city from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a maritime parade.
- The flame should arrive at the Old Port at 7:45 p.m. and will be collected by Florent Manaudou, the first of 11,000 torchbearers on French soil.
- It will circulate in mainland France and overseas until July 26, the date of the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games.
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