Confolens will be one of the seven Charente towns crossed by the Olympic flame. An event in the sub-prefecture of Charente-Limousine. And to top it all off: the first Confolentaise torchbearer is truly unique! Her name is Julienne Soury… and she is 107 years old ! Until she was 98, she lived completely independently in an apartment (in Limoges before being welcomed in August 2020 in the Pré de l’Étang nursing home in Confolens. The centenarian will set off at 2:53 p.m. sharp in front of the nursing home and will cover 200 meters on foot, without any assistance. Reached by telephone, Julienne does not hide her joy. “I did not expect that. It is a pleasure. I’m going to be with my children, that’s what matters most.” Born July 7, 1916 in Etagnac in Charente, Julienne Soury has two sons, four granddaughters, one grandson and six great-grandchildren.
Good foot, good eye, Julienne Soury has lost a little of her hearing. So this is the director of the Confolentais nursing homeFanny Raynaud, who takes over. “We are very proud. She is one of the figures and pillars of the nursing home because of her age but also her personality. She is someone who has character, who is valid and who is endearing. We will all be behind it.” All nursing home staff will be present this Friday, including employees who are not working that day, to see Julienne carry the flame. “It’s a big symbol for us. Nursing homes have such a bad image in the media that it’s a great event for us,” says Fanny Raynaud.
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To be in top form, Julienne has been training for three days to do her 200 meter courses**. During these rehearsals, she is accompanied by sports instructors. For the last session this Thursday afternoon, it was Christian, the technical manager of the nursing home, who was by his side. A meal is planned with the entire family of the centenary torchbearer this Friday noon. After the effort, comfort. A small reception will be given around a beautiful cake. Probably not big enough to plant 107 candles, but good enough to maintain the flame.
There Olympic flame will shine in Charente during a journey of seven stages. In total, 88 individual carriers, including Julienne, will take turns over a little over 18 kilometers. First town crossed: Barbezieux (from 8:10 a.m. to 8:59 a.m.), then Eymouthiers (from 9:35 a.m. to 9:55 a.m.), Cognac (from 10:23 a.m. to 11:13 a.m.), Confolens (from 2:53 p.m. to 3:39 p.m.), Saint-Cybardeaux (from 12:11 p.m. to 12:31 p.m.), Ruffec (from 3:53 p.m. to 4:13 p.m.) and Angoulême (from 5:38 p.m. to 7:20 p.m.). 9,000 spectators are expected on the square in front of the Magelis cellars in front of the Comic Strip Museum, to witness the lighting of the cauldron.
© Ehpad du Prés de l’Etang
