1970-01-01 00:00:00
There were tens of thousands waiting for the arrival of the Olympic flame at the Old Port of Marseille this Wednesday. The latter arrived by sea, aboard the Belem, which had set sail from Athens on April 27.
On the famous three-masted ship, there was also, among others, the sailor Timothée, originally from Avesnes-sur-Helpe. “ With 5 other people, I had to supervise young people in integration », Specifies the young man, in voluntary military service in Brest.
To be one of the 6 selected, he had to apply. “ I have an assistant position in recruitment and integration of young people, I spoke regarding the interest and the importance of learning more regarding other methods that exist, and then, being on board the boat that carries the flame, there is something exceptional regarding it, obviously », whispers the 20-year-old man.
“We feel very small in front of her”
The excitement of being part of this historic event flowed through the boat. “ The first days were very intense, we were all very excited, and then a little routine set in, we were a little cut off from the world, there was a big peak of emotion the last three, four days, we realized that it would not just be the family arriving in Marseille, but thousands of people waiting to see the flame », says Timothée. This was felt as we approached Marseille, where numerous sailboats stretched across the horizon.
Timothée had the opportunity to observe this flame dancing during the crossing. “ She was accessible, even if there was always at least one of the three guards nearby, we had meals with her nearby, we were able to hold the helm of the boat near her, we also had a little moment individual with her », he lists.
Over time, this flame, which seemed so impressive at first, “ she was in a sort of lantern, so it’s not very big, but she is very symbolic, so we feel very small in front of her ”, became over the course of the journey “ like a member of the family », which we had to leave, to let it be admired by millions of others over the coming weeks, including by the curious, in Avesnes-sur-Helpe, on July 2.
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