The Olympic flame arrived in Paris on July 14, 2024, coinciding with France’s Bastille Day celebrations, marking the start of a 12-day countdown to the 2024 Summer Olympics. The event featured a unique military parade that incorporated the Olympic torch relay, paying homage to both France’s national heritage and the upcoming games.The flame’s journey through Paris included visits to iconic landmarks such as the Champs-Élysées, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Panthéon. The relay involved around 540 torchbearers, including celebrities, athletes, and ordinary citizens. Notably, three Chinese torchbearers participated, including renowned pianist Lang Lang, who expressed his honor at being part of the event.The celebration began with a military parade, which was relocated due to Olympic preparations. French President Emmanuel Macron reviewed the troops, and the event featured aerial displays by the French Air Force. Colonel Thibault Vallette, a gold medalist from the 2016 Rio Olympics, carried the flame on horseback before passing it to young athletes.While the Olympic flame brought a sense of unity and excitement, France continues to face political challenges. The country remains without a parliamentary majority following recent elections, and efforts to form a new government are ongoing. President Macron may delay decisions on government formation until after the Olympics, hoping to gather an alternative coalition.Security measures were heightened for the event, with 1,600 police and gendarmes dedicated to the flame relay. Some cities, like Saint-Malo, had to adjust their Bastille Day celebrations due to the mobilization of law enforcement for the Olympics.As Paris prepares to host the Summer Games from July 26 to August 11, the arrival of the Olympic flame has reignited the Olympic spirit in the city, despite the ongoing political uncertainties.
Key points
- The Olympic flame arrived in Paris on Bastille Day, marking the 12-day countdown to the 2024 Summer Olympics.
- The flame’s journey through Paris included visits to iconic landmarks and involved 540 torchbearers, including international participants.
- France faces ongoing political challenges and struggles to form a new government amid Olympic preparations.
Contradictions👾While most sources emphasize the celebratory nature of the event, some highlight the underlying political tensions in France, creating a contrast between the festive atmosphere and political uncertainty.
