Martin Lange / Credits: ANGELOS TZORTZINIS / AFP
The Olympic flame arrives on Wednesday evening in the Old Port. While we knew since last week that Florent Manaudou would be the first to set foot on French soil with the flame, we now know more about who will take over.
D-2 before the arrival of the Olympic flame in Marseille! Currently on board the Belem, she is due to arrive on French soil on May 8. Florent Manaudou will be the first porter off the boat while the rest of the program promises to be just as festive.
After a big celebration in the Old Port planned for Wednesday evening, the flame will wander through the Marseille city on Thursday and there will be around a hundred taking turns to carry it from Notre-Dame de la Garde to the Vélodrome stadium.
Papin and Rongier in the spotlight
Among them, we will obviously find OM footballers like Basile Boli, whose famous face has remained in the memory of all Marseillais, Didier Drogba but especially Jean-Pierre Papin, the idol of La Canebière. “Being able to carry this flame is just magical, especially in Marseille. I’m going to carry it at the Vélodrome, it will be even more symbolic,” continues the former striker. “I’m going to go up the steps of the Vélodrome and normally, I should pass it to Valentin Rongier.”
A symbolic handover with the current captain of OM. Note that on the sports side, there will be something for everyone with swimmers, fencers and even basketball player in the person of Tony Parker.
“It’s just extraordinary”
Personalities from Marseille will also be in the spotlight, such as the singer Soprano and the 3-star chef, Alexandre Mazzia. “It happens once every 100 years. It’s just extraordinary. I’ve been pampered, I’m proud of everything we can accomplish now. It’s really an infantile, almost juvenile pride,” describes the chef. . Each of these carriers will run 200 meters with the flame which will then spend the night in front of the Stade de Vélodrome before heading to the Var on Friday.