In the spring of 2024, the Paris 2024 Olympic Torch Relay, an event sponsored by Coca-Cola, Banque Populaire and Caisse d’Epargne, will begin its French journey in Marseille, host city of the sailing and football events. After being lit in Greece at the ancient site of Olympia, the Olympic flame will return to Marseille by sea, aboard the Belem, a majestic three-master belonging to the Caisse d’Epargne Belem foundation. Closely linked to Greece by its history, Marseille promises to welcome the Olympic flame with great fanfare to mark the launch of its relay across France. A tradition to which Paris 2024 will add its touch.
The Torch Relay is an essential tradition of the Olympic Games, a symbol of peace, unity and friendship between peoples. At each edition of the Games, the torch carries the sacred fire lit with the help of the sun’s rays during a ceremony in the sanctuary of Olympia, Greece, in homage to the ancient Games. From Olympia, many bearers of the flame selected for the occasion follow one another until they reach the host city of the Games. The Olympic flame completes its journey when it ignites the cauldron of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, then declared open.
In the spring of 2024, Marseille will have the joy of being the first city to host the Olympic flame on French soil. This will arrive in the Old Port of Marseille, the starting point of the Torch Relay, before embarking on a collective journey of several weeks to Paris.
Support by Savings Bankpartner of Paris 2024 and sponsor of the Torch Relay, the crossing of the Mediterranean will be like a true Homeric epic joining the land of the Ancient Games to the land of the Enlightenment.
After being welcomed on the French coast by an armada of boats, the Belem will be moored in the port of Marseille, kicking off a great popular festival on the quays of the city. This exceptional celebration will be made possible by Coca Cola, partner of Paris 2024 and sponsor of the Torch Relay, associated with the city and local players. Partner of the Olympic Games since 1928 and of the Torch Relay since 1992, Coca-Cola will offer festive events aimed at as many people as possible, especially young people.
Firstly because of the weight of history, the cities of Athens and Marseille being intimately linked by their ancient past and their influence on the Mediterranean basin. With its 2,600 years of existence, Marseille is both a former Greek colony (Massalia) and the oldest city in France.
Finally, fully committed from the start of the Paris 2024 project, Marseille will be a leading player during the Games with its two competition sites: the Stade Vélodrome, where the football events will take place, and the Marina where the events will take place. of sailing. Throughout the period of the Games, the city will also welcome in its port the sailboat Maxi People’s Bank XI: an exceptional ship built for the most beautiful adventures that will delight sailing enthusiasts and passers-by. During the summer of 2024, Marseille will thus be the scene of many popular events to make this planetary event a great celebration for all.
The detailed Torch Relay route will be unveiled in May 2023!
Visuals: Paris 2024