This Friday, May 24, the procession of the Olympic flame passed through the streets of Charente. School groups, families or simply curious people, this event brought together many people, particularly in Angoulême.
“Look at ! There’s the mascot truck passing by!“, we hear on the outskirts of Avenue des Maréchaux, located in Angoulême. In the streets of the French comics capital, spectators did not come for its famous festival, but to acclaim and applaud the bearers of the Olympic flame.
Throughout the day of May 24, the Olympic flame wandered around the Charente department. The final stage of this passage through Charente soil could only stop at Angoulême. People from all over the department came to attend the festivities, but not only that.
This is the case of this family from Gironde. “We arrive from Libourne, because the grandfather of the family is one of the porters in the collective relay, says Catherine Labat. VSIt’s a special day for us. We are a family of athletes: there are gymnasts, table tennis players, canoeists… It’s a real party here. We find athletes of course, but also young people, old people… It’s something that brings everyone together“, she concludes, smiling.
The Labat family, coming from Gironde, stops in Angoulême to see the Olympic flame.
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© Paul Grelier – France Télévisions
Among the torchbearers of this 16th stage, we found Philippe Croizon, disabled athlete known for having crossed the Channel, the oldest Julienne Soury aged 107, or Sokhna Lacoste, athlete specializing in the 400 meters and licensed at Grand Angoulême Athletics.
READ ALSO : I’m going to keep this memory all my life”, Soanne, 17, will carry the Olympic flame in Charente.
A few days earlier, sports photographer Kassandra Burns learned that she would be the one to light the Olympic cauldron in Angoulême. “When it was time to light the cauldron, it was completely crazy“, she recalls with her eyes in the stars. “It’s something I can’t imagine yet. I can’t put it into words. It’s an incredible experience and I thank the various partners of the Olympic Games for allowing me to live this unique experience. And the city of Angoulême also followed me… Honestly, it was great!“
Sokhna Lacoste, Kassandra Burns and Brigitte Henriques are present in Angoulême.
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© Paul Grelier – France Télévisions
► Follow the Olympic torch relay live on our channel france.tv Paris 2024 – https://www.france.tv/paris-h24/direct.html
According to her, this day will remain unforgettable for the rest of her life. “I didn’t expect to have so much excitement at the moment, to have so many people here. Before arriving, we were on the bus and the stress came quickly, the sweaty hands… But in the end, it was fire, she expresses with humor. It is an honor to carry the flame. Plus, my father always wanted to carry the flame when he was younger. I think it’s a moment that I will remember for the rest of my life.“
