The Olympic flame is set to arrive in the French port city of Marseille on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone ahead of the Paris Olympics. The event is expected to attract a crowd of up to 150,000 people, making it a major test of the ambitious plans for the Games.
The flame will be transferred from the historic French sailing ship, Belem, which has been on a 12-day journey from Greece. The ship will be accompanied by over 1,000 other boats, and the event will be broadcast live on French TV. Fireworks and a free concert will add to the spectacle, making it a memorable experience for all attendees.
The Olympic torch relay will then travel across mainland France and the country’s overseas territories, covering a distance of 12,000 kilometers. The relay is expected to pass through more than 450 French towns and cities, as well as dozens of tourist attractions, including the famous Mont Saint Michel.
The event will also be a major test of the security plans in place. With the country on its highest terror alert, around 6,000 members of the security forces will be on duty to ensure the safety of attendees.
The honor of being the first torchbearer will fall to four-time Olympic medal-winning swimmer Florent Manadou. Other notable figures scheduled to participate in the parade include NBA-winning basketball player Tony Parker and footballer Didier Drogba.
The Paris Olympics are expected to be a significant moment for the sporting extravaganza, following the Covid-hit edition in Tokyo in 2021 and the corruption-tainted Rio de Janeiro version in 2016. The event is expected to be a celebration of sport, culture, and French heritage.
The Olympics will run from July 26 to August 11, followed by the Paralympics from August 28 to September 8. The event is expected to be a spectacular display of athleticism, entertainment, and French culture, and is set to draw in millions of viewers from around the world.
âš¡ Related read: Where to Stay in Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics
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