In February 2023, Tony Estanguet revealed the name of the city that will first host the Olympic flame. On Thursday 27 April, the President of the OCOG announced the date on which the route of the flame will be publicly revealed.
On Friday February 3, Tony Estanguet and the organizing committee announced that the Olympic flame for the Paris 2024 Olympics will begin its long journey in the city of Marseille. The Marseille city, which will host the sailing events during the Olympic Games, was chosen for its close link with Greece. “Paris 2024 has chosen the city of Marseille for many historical, symbolic and geographical reasons. The central place that sport occupies in the city and in the hearts of its inhabitants has been decisive, as has the great involvement of the city in the Paris 2024 project, Marseille hosting the sailing events and football matches.”
If the routes of the Olympic triathlon or marathon events have been revealed, that of the Olympic flame will only be revealed from June 23 during Olympic Day. If we already know that Marseille will be the first stage of the route in France, we should know the next stages. In total, nearly 60 departments could host the iconic Olympic flame. She will arrive on May 9, 2024 in Marseille and must be in Paris when the boats that will parade on the Seine during the opening ceremony on July 26, 2024 arrive. The final arrival is not yet known, but it should be performed around the Trocadéro and the Eiffel Tower.
The joy of the mayor of Marseille
Benoît Payan, the mayor of Marseille, expressed his great pride after this decision. “Marseille was founded by Greeks who came from Phocaea 2,600 years ago: by asking to welcome the flame to our shores, we wanted to reconnect with this great history of sharing, fraternity, diversity and solidarity, commented the elected official. This is why we will make this ceremony a great popular celebration, a great moment of conviviality and joy.”
What will be the route of the Olympic flame for the Paris 2024 Olympics?
In detail, a ceremony will first take place from the sanctuary of Olympia, Greece, in tribute to the Ancient Games. Then it is in the Old Port of Marseille that the Olympic flame will land, in order to join Paris a few weeks later during the opening ceremony on Friday July 26th. The Olympic flame will travel across the Mediterranean Sea on the Belem, a majestic three-master. On the sidelines of this arrival, Marseille will offer a large popular festival on the quays of the city, intended in particular for young people. The details of the route will be unveiled next May.