ATHENS. The Olympic flame set sail for France on Saturday aboard the majestic three-masted ship, the “Belem,” a symbolic journey marking the countdown to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Departing from the port of Piraeus, Greece, the flame’s voyage signals the culmination of preparations ahead of the highly anticipated opening ceremony on July 26.
The historic vessel embarked on an 11-day odyssey, destined for the southern French city of Marseille, which traces its roots back to Greek settlers from Phocaea around 600 BC. Scheduled to arrive on May 8, the flame’s arrival will be met with great fanfare, heralding the commencement of a 68-day torch relay across France.
Paris Games organizers formally received the flame on Friday in a poignant ceremony at Athens’ Panathenaic Stadium, the revered site of the inaugural modern Olympics in 1896. This followed the flame’s ceremonial lighting in ancient Olympia last week, marking the beginning of an illustrious 11-day Greek relay.
Following a brief ceremony in Piraeus, the vessel embarked on its voyage to Marseille, where an estimated 150,000 spectators eagerly await its arrival at the Old Port. Marseille, renowned for its maritime heritage, will serve as the launchpad for the Olympic sailing competitions, setting the stage for a grand torch relay across the French landscape.
The torch’s journey will culminate on May 9 as the final torchbearer ascends to the roof of the Velodrome stadium in Marseille. From there, the flame will continue its journey, traversing the country before reaching its ultimate destination in Paris on July 26. The lighting of the Olympic cauldron along the Seine River during the opening ceremony promises to be a spectacle of unparalleled grandeur.
Organizers envision a breathtaking opening ceremony, featuring a procession of 160 boats carrying athletes from across the globe along a six-kilometer route leading to the iconic Eiffel Tower. With an anticipated global audience tuning in, security remains paramount, particularly against the backdrop of ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
Considering these concerns, the French government has mobilized significant resources, soliciting assistance from approximately 45 foreign countries to bolster security measures. Thousands of additional military, police, and civilian personnel are slated to reinforce security protocols, ensuring the safety and success of the Paris Olympics.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
