The Olympic flame’s maritime journey from Greece, which began on April 27, officially ended on May 8 with the arrival of the three-masted Belem in the port of Marseille. The conclusion of a trip celebrated by a huge parade throughout the day in front of hundreds of thousands of spectators present in the Marseille city, and concluded with a ceremony with great pomp to launch the torch relay on French soil until ‘at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games.
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From our special correspondent in Marseille,
From the early hours of the morning of May 8 in the Old Port of Marseille, very special guests accompanied the ambient agitation of an already memorable day for the Marseille city. In the middle of the docks and the masts of the boats, several drones were already hovering above the water to secure the scene before the grand arrival of the “Belem” in the early evening.
While the floating Olympic runway intended to welcome the first torchbearer sits in the background, a local boat builder prepares to leave with his friends to join the parade which will escort the long-awaited three-masted ship. “ We will participate on a boat built in 1948 », Explains Denis Borg, proud to join the event on a traditional Marseille tray from the Marseille city. “ We are experiencing other events here in Marseille with our football club and our stadium. But that’s something else. It’s once in a lifetime that we will be able to get this close and share this symbol with everyone present here. To experience it at home, in Marseille, with everything that the history of this flame which comes from Greece represents, is a lot of pride », he continues, convinced that this moment will be remembered 100 years later.
Hervé Morel-Derocle, the pilot and owner of the boat, for his part welcomes very careful organization on the part of the authorities: “ It’s extremely well organized. We have entry and exit times, we know where we have to go, we are informed thanks to WhatsApp loops “. There are only a few minutes left before the departure of the small group towards the harbor of Marseille, like a thousand other boats which are to join the parade. “ Marseille is a city that is open to the world by tradition. It is a real pride to inherit this flame which comes from Greece, our parent company. “.
“ At the same level as OM’s victory in the European Cup »
For the majority of spectators in the city, the parade could only be admired from afar. And although the wait may have seemed long, the thousands of curious people gathered in the streets did not hide their enthusiasm and impatience to attend this great celebration. “ It’s a source of pride, it’s the first time there’s been this in Marseille », Explain Lola and Younès, two young Marseillais who came to crowd with the crowd near the gates of the Palais du Pharo. Already crowded since 9 a.m., they only opened at 12:30 p.m. to let spectators sit in front of a breathtaking view of the entrance to the Old Port. Many of them had already prepared hats, blankets and provisions, determined to stay in place until the evening to be able to admire the final moments on the water of the Olympic flame.
On the seafront, initially hidden by the coast, the three-masted ship took its time to show itself before racing out onto the waters of the harbor, well escorted by hundreds of boats. “ I was born here, but I live in Paris. I came down on purpose to witness the arrival of the Olympic flame in Marseille. I can’t wait to see the boat up close, because we’ve been watching it for two hours now », Explains a passerby installed on a viewpoint facing the Cercle des Nageurs de Marseille.
“ I am from Marseille and I have been impatiently waiting for this day since the announcement. I’ve been waiting here for an hour, but I’m proud to be able to welcome the “Belem” today. We are proud to represent France first for these Olympic Games », welcomes Vincent, 27 years old, among the spectators who came in large numbers. “ I have sailed a lot in this harbor, so it is a great pride to see the “Belem” here », Confides Dominique, 70, who was present during the biggest sporting event in the city’s history. “ In Marseille, we have already experienced OM’s victory in the European Cup, it was madness. But I put these two events on the same level. »
A ceremony with great pomp
The highlight of the show was obviously the arrival of the ship in the port of Marseille around 7 p.m., accompanied by the tifo prepared especially for the occasion by the South Winners, emblematic group of Olympique de Marseille, which paid homage to the origins Greeks of the Phocaean city. On the crowded alleys of the Old Port, the chants of supporters followed one another to warm up the crowd before the lighting ceremony of the Olympic flame. Present on stage, Didier Drogba and Basile Boli, former OM players, participated in the electric atmosphere before giving way to “Belem” and the arrival of the flame on French soil.
Florent Manaudon, first torchbearer, was accompanied by Paralympic athlete Nantenin Keïta and the surprise presence of rapper Jul, a beloved figure in the city, who lit the Olympic cauldron in front of a captivated audience. “ I came specially from my little village at 100 km to see the opening of the Olympic Games in Marseille. The event even exceeded my expectations », admits Mélissa as the Soprano concert launches a night of festivities in the Old Port. Whether they are from Marseille or visitors who came for the occasion, the fanfare launch of the Paris Olympic Games seems in any case to have fulfilled its objective and left its mark before the start of the flame’s journey across France.
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