For its first day on earth, after twelve days of crossing the Belem, the Olympic flame travels through the city of Marseille on Thursday under a blazing sun in a festive atmosphere. Around midday, a large crowd of families awaited him in front of the Town Hall, Marseille flags and hats on their heads. It must be said that many came, above all, to see Didier Drobga, former OM scorer, accompanied by Tony Estanguet, boss of Paris 2024 and Benoît Payan, mayor of the city.
It was also to the former icon who left for Chelsea that the host of the Coca-Cola float, which precedes the torchbearers with those of Caisse d’Épargne and the Banque Populaire, spoke to the microphone, triggering the cries of the supporters. Filmed by a forest of cell phones, Didier Drogba will carry the flame during the last stage at the Vélodrome, as he will climb the stadium steps with famous former players like Jean-Pierre Papin and Eric Di Meco but also injured captain Valentin Rongier . Then the Ivorian international will light the cauldron for the second evening, after Marseille rapper Jul on Wednesday evening. History of coming full circle after a kick-off given this Thursday morning by another legend of the club, Basile Boli, from the “Good Mother”.
References to OM
“ OM was everywhere, OM was in popular songs, in the choices of the torchbearers » said Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, Minister of Sports and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, talking about the day ” unforgettable “ on Wednesday with the arrival of the flame. “ OM is on this platform”, she continued, pointing to Didier Drogba during the launch of the countdown for the Olympic football tournament.
“ And OM against Bergamo this evening (Thursday), go OM! continued the minister. For almost ten days, Marseille, starting July 24 at 9 p.m., will be the world capital of football “. Tony Estanguet also recalled that there were still places left for the Blues matches at the Vélodrome. “ There are some very nice posters, take advantage of them », Launched the boss of Paris 2024.
