:format(webp)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/grupoclarin/XFPZQEDE5FF4FPETVONOXQ6TNU.jpg "France prepares to start the Olympic torch relay from Marseille")
The torchbearers were scheduled to carry the Olympic flame through the streets of the southern French city of Marseille starting this Thursday, the day after it arrived on a majestic three-masted sailing ship received in a grand ceremony.
The flame will begin its 11-week journey through France, in which some 10,000 bearers will pass through more than 450 locations until the opening ceremony of the Games in Paris on July 26.
Former footballer Basile Boli, who played for Marseille in the 1990s, would begin Thursday’s relay from the Basilica of Our Lady of the Guard, overlooking the city and the Mediterranean.
Former basketball player Tony Parker would later take over. Athletes from disciplines such as fencing and skateboarding, as well as a Michelin-starred chef and a comedian, will also carry the flame.
Paris 2024. The sailboat with the flame of the Olympic Games arrived in Marseille
The participants planned to tour the most emblematic places of the city during the day until taking the torch to the roof of the famous Velodrome Stadium, home of the passionate fans of the Marseille football club.
Historical supporter, scorer in the European Cup final, comedian, agency director…
Meet our first Flame Relay scouts! There will be 11,000 of them to carry this Flame to Paris! 🔥#paris2024 pic.twitter.com/iNKQ9lZyO1— Paris 2024 (@Paris2024) May 9, 2024
The city celebrated the arrival of the flame with great fanfare on Wednesday, and Mayor Benoît Payan said more than 230,000 people had attended the ceremony at the old port.
“It’s just incredible, magical,” said Amel Sekko, a resident of the city. “We needed it. “We never have events or beautiful things like this in Marseille.”
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Mona Boulhas, also a resident of Marseille, said that “it is something you have to experience at least once in your life (…) We have the sun and the Olympic flame.”
Marseille will host sailing events and some football matches during the Games.