“Unforgettable.” In a word, this is the imprint that this historic morning will leave in Alexandre’s head. It was he who first carried the flame in the department. It is 9 a.m., in a street in Moustiers-Sainte -Marie among the most beautiful in France, when a member of the organization passes the flame from the famous lantern which keeps the Olympian fire to the torch that this forty-year-old, from Gignac-la-Nerthe, in the Bouches, securely carries – du-Rhône.
A relay between four flame bearers
“It is thanks to my company, which is a partner of the Olympic Games, that I was selected.” describes this administrative manager, who has several hundred employees to manage in the region, and practices triathlon and trail running. “We are all sporty in the family“, says this father of two children, who is also involved in community life. “Everyone was smiling, despite the intense pressureconfides Alexandre. The organization was managed to the millimeter.“
What is going on in his head at this moment, when he sets off? “We say to ourselves: ‘It’s my turn’, and off we go“, confides the bearer. Four men will thus pass the flame to the Notre-dame de Beauvoir Chapel, under the legendary star suspended between the gorges, the end point of the relay – and whose access, just like that of the Chemin de Croix, was unfortunately closed to the public. Once at the top, the fire was placed again in the lantern, carefully guarded by the organizers.
“It will remain a real Source of pride for me“, will add Alexandre at the end of this morning, which will have given the start to numerous sporting events across the city. “Continuing to perpetuate this tradition, Alexandre continues, under the sign of peace and surpassing oneself, is an opportunity!“
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