From Sisteron to Digne-les-Bains via Manosque, the Olympic flame crisscrossed the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence this Saturday, May 11. Everywhere, the public showed their joy and enthusiasm. A look back at a “historic” day.
She crisscrossed the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence this Saturday, May 11. From Sisteron to Digne-les-Bains via Moustier-Sainte-Marie, the Olympic flame crossed the territory to the rhythm of the torchbearers.
In all the towns, the public present expressed their joy and enthusiasm for the event. The opportunity for BFM DICI to look back on a “historic” day for the department.
From Moustier to Sisteron
It’s 9 o’clock this morning. The inhabitants of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie are following in the footsteps of the Olympic flame, which briefly stopped in this village of barely 700 inhabitants. The cult object of the Olympics, landed in France in Marseille on the Belem on May 8, this time crossing a more remote territory.
If the charm of the town attracts 80,000 visitors each year, everyone only has eyes for the flame on this Saturday, May 11. The passage, however, was brief. Thirty minutes later, the caravan is already heading towards Sisteron.
“There are a lot of volunteers who go out of their way to get Sisteron on TV, it’s very good for everyone,” summarizes a spectator, present since 7 hours with his family, at the microphone of BFM DICI.
“It’s once in a lifetime, we shouldn’t miss it. It’s my daughters who are especially keen on it,” confides a mother.
To enjoy the show, go to the Rocher de la Baume. On site, a collective relay of 24 bearers – including Thierry Delarue, four-time para-climbing world champion – brings the torch to the summit before abseiling down.
Alain Boghossian present in Digne-les-Bains
When noon time comes, it is the turn of the Dignois to gather. Here too, the excitement can be measured by the words of the mayor, Patricia Granet-Brunello.
“It’s a fabulous day, another first in Digne-les-Bains. We are delighted, there is 99% good in what is happening today. The party will last all day”, s the enthusiasm of the chosen one.
Presented on the roundabout on November 11, the torch passes from torchbearer to torchbearer, until it reaches a familiar face, that of Alain Boghossian. Dignified by birth, the 1998 world champion greets a receptive audience.
“We welcome him as we should, louder than that. We take out the phones,” the speaker addresses the crowd.
Another notable moment of the day in the town, the relay provided by Miss Martini. His real name, Martin Namias, better known to Marseille under his drag queen name, is one of the two queens chosen to carry the Olympic flame to France.
Purple and white wig, the artist who performs every month at the Cabaret-Théâtre l’Étoile Bleue, traveled 200 meters with the torch this Saturday. “It’s totally crazy, incredible and great,” she explained on BFM DICI.
“Everyone was so kind and amazing. I had a great morning,” Miss Martini added.
Colmars-les-Alpes is on fire
Shortly after 1:30 p.m., Colmars-les-Alpes and its 500 inhabitants also prepare to experience a timeless moment. To the sound of the Turkish March, a composition by Mozart, the final preparations take place. As Sophie Thevenet – the last torchbearer – begins her 200-meter walk, the applause continues to intensify.
Noticeable very early in the morning, the jubilation still does not leave the department, even as the afternoon goes on. A resident of La Brillanne, Françoise obviously went to Forcalquier.
“I’m looking forward to this. Knowing that this flame comes from so far away and that I will never see it again is very beautiful. It touched me a lot. I’m going to try to slip between the people”, she predicts.
“How could it go wrong when we see the jubilation here?” said David Gehant, the city’s mayor.
A former torchbearer revives his past
In Barcelonnette, shortly after 6:15 p.m., emotion spread across the face of a passerby. Interviewed at the microphone of BFM DICI, he is a former torchbearer during the Winter Olympics in Grenoble, in 1968. Quite a coincidence. “I was in high school, I was 14 years old. I was a substitute porter, but the holder had a point aside. So it was me who gave it to the mayor,” he says.
“I have difficulty speaking. (…) I have no record of this and it is a regret,” he admits.
At dusk of this day unlike any other, around 7 p.m., the flame meets in Manosque. The city even looks like a Tour de France when the caravan wanders through the streets. The children enjoy the goodies distributed.
The Olympic cauldron not lit due to technical incidents
The epilogue of the day takes place at the Jean Salobert stadium. Around 7 p.m., Ophélie-Cyrielle Étienne, French swimmer and bronze medalist in the 4×200 meter freestyle relay in London in 2012, arrived with the torch in her hands.
She is the last torchbearer of the day. And has the hard task of lighting the Olympic cauldron, as Jul does in Marseille or Charles Berling in Toulon.
When turning the fire towards the latter, the flame does not take. A few minutes later a new attempt followed. She too fails.
Contacting BFM DICI, the director of the relay explains that the cauldron could not be lit due to “technical problems”.
“Despite the little disappointment (…) I had a great day”
A disappointment for the public, gathered in their hundreds. This is the case of Amine, young Manosquin.
“I followed the flame and the route all day,” he confided to BFM DICI.
Before adding: “Despite the little disappointment because the cauldron did not light up, I had a great day,” he added to our microphone.
Also a sportsman, he hopes one day to have the chance to carry the Olympic flame. And why not in his city.
Despite this somewhat tarnished end to the day, the spectators are certain: “Ubaye is an Olympic land”, as Élisabeth Jacques, president of the community of communes, thinks.
