Paris 2024: for the first time, the Olympic flame will stop in the Overseas Territories
The Olympic flame, a symbol of peace and friendship between peoples, will set off from Olympia in Greece and will criss-cross France. On this occasion, it will stop for the first time in five overseas territories, before reaching the capital.
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The most famous symbol of the Olympic Games had never before crossed the oceans to reach overseas France. In 2024, just a few months before the Paris Olympics, five overseas territories will host the torch relay: the Guadeloupethe Martiniquethe Guyana, The meeting and the Polynesia where the Olympic surfing event will take place for the first time.
“It has been a desire from the start to use the overseas territories, which are part of France, for this great celebration that will be the Olympic Games.assures Thierry Rey, special adviser for the organization of Paris 2024.
The Olympic flame, whose origin dates back to Greek mythology, will stop for a day and in several places in the five selected overseas territories. Only six privileged people will have the honor of carrying the famous flame during this sporting and popular event. Anonymous to whom we pay tribute, but also sportsmen. The Overseas Territories have always been a land of champions.
The teams of France, in the history of French sport, have been nurtured by athletes who have supplied from these territories. We had great results, like Marie-Josée Pérec, Lucie Decosse… (…) You have to know how to return and involve all these territories which have brought us a lot.
Thierry Rey, special adviser for the 2024 Olympics
A moment of joy and sharing which also has a cost. The departments and territories requested by the organizing committee had to pay 180,000 euros to have the flame.