Party everywhere, all day long
The festive atmosphere and collective fervor were observed throughout the day. Numerous activities have been put in place by the towns crossed in order to transform each relay into a moment of sharing involving as many people as possible. This was particularly the case in Saint-Germain-des-Fossés where several music groups hosted the Flame convoy. At Place Victor Hugo in Cusset, the public was able to attend a hip-hop and freestyle football show.
Initiatives aimed at the general public were also numerous in Vichy. Young and old were invited to take part in sporting and cultural activities in front of the CREPS. Along the route, the children of the Lifetri association formed a guard of honor around the Flame. At the Town Hall Square, several dance groups, members of the Art’dance school, performed colorful and cheerful choreographies.
More than a hundred Flamebearers at the meeting
During that day, there were 109 of them who took turns carrying the Olympic Flame. Among them, great athletes such as Vincent JayFrench biathlete who won two Olympic medals at the 2010 Games in Vancouver: a gold medal in the sprint, making him the first Frenchman to win an Olympic title in this racing format, and a bronze medal in the pursuit. Julien Veysseyre was also present. The para triathlete, member of the French team and cross triathlon world champion, is also an ambassador for a company specializing in the manufacture of sports blades for lower limb amputees.
Many anonymous people involved locally in the world of sport also carried the Flame, like Laurence Allard, the first torchbearer of the day, who is part of the driving forces of a basketball club. This is also the case for the gymnast Alice Nauxwho participates in competitions at regional level or even by Amélie Vernay who practices twirling at the European level (which combines dance, gymnastics and handling a stick). In men, we could note the presence d’Yves Carreydean of the “Vichy Rando” association aged 91 and d’Alain Dusangcurrent coach of Racing Club Vichy Rugby.
Several bearers of the Flame engaged in social and solidarity causes that are close to their hearts also paraded on the roads of Vichy Community as Christelle Aujeammesportswoman with a big heart who gets involved every day as a firefighter or even as a Paul-François L’Huilier who runs a solidarity grocery store in Vichy.
The values they support are also those of the last wearer of the day, Théo Curin, model of resilience and self-sacrifice. Vice-world champion in disabled freestyle swimming in 2017 in Mexico, he then became known for his extraordinary challenges, like the crossing of Lake Titicaca or the Sante Fe-Coronda aquatic marathon. He became the first disabled athlete to complete this legendary 57km race in nearly 9 hours of swimming in the muddy and perilous waters of Argentina. A personality with many hats, this man who stops at nothing had the honor of lighting the cauldron to end this day in Vichy in style.
Tomorrow, it’s time for a new stage on the roads of France. The Olympic Flame will travel along the Loire. The end of the day festivities will be held in Saint-Etienne where the cauldron will be lit in the Greens’ enclosure, the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium.
Note that the activities have already started in the Saint-Etienne metropolis since a major concert organized by Coca-Cola is being held this evening on the occasion of the Fête de la Musique, where 5,000 people are expected on the square of the stadium. For the occasion, Coke Studio presents a 100% female line-up with the two artists Santa et Bianca Costa who will carry the Flame the next day. The first stands out with its immense title “Popcorn Salé”, certified Diamond and which has more than 100 million streams worldwide. The second stands out today as the new bossa nova diva, fusing French rap with the traditional sounds of Brazil. Before them, it is the soul voice of Saint-Etienne We who will inaugurate the concert with his inimitable talent. Emotions guaranteed!
