The bearers of the flame will not leave empty-handed. In addition to unveiling the cauldron, the Organizing Committee for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games (Cojo) presented “the heart of the torch”, a gift that will receive the 11,000 bearers of the Olympic and Paralympic flames (10,000) (1,000) at the end of their course.
“An object which is above all not a goodiesbut a real symbol”, assure the members of Cojo. If the number of torches produced (2,000) was divided by five compared to previous editions of the relay, Paris 2024 still wanted to offer a gift to the 11,000 torch bearers. »
“The axis of symmetry of the torch”
Designed by Mathieu Lehanneur and produced in France by the company ArcelorMittal, the “heart of the torch” represents the ring which is inserted in the middle of the torch and which allows its two parts to be assembled. “It is the core and axis of symmetry of the torch,” details the Games Organizing Committee. “The heart of the torch will salute the contribution of each of the flame bearers”, declares Eric Niedziela, president of ArcelorMittal France.
With a diameter of 10 cm and a thickness of 2 mm, the steel object will be offered to all bearers of the flame in a numbered box, “as an elegant reminder of a unique moment”. The words “torch bearer”, “Games scout” and “Paris 2024” will be engraved on its surface.
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The journey of the Olympic flame will begin in France, on May 8, in Marseille, where a major popular festival will be organized in the Old Port. Swimmer Florent Manaudou, quadruple Olympic medalist, will be the first bearer of the flame in France.
