Olympic torch approaches Paris with 50 days to go until opening ceremony
Updated: June 6, 2024 4:46 PM PDT
If they don't, if they can't renegotiate the lease, well, the countdown to the Paris Games is already at 50 days, and excitement is building for the arrival of the athletes and the arrival of the Olympic torch. That torch was lit 51 days ago in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the Olympics. KCRA 3's Deirdre Fitzpatrick has been following its progress all the way to Paris. On April 16, the torch was lit in Greece, the birthplace of the Olympics, to begin the 11-day, 68-day torch relay. The torch was carried around Greece, then handed over to the French delegation, which set sail aboard the ship Belem. The next day, the torch arrived before a large crowd gathered in the southern French city of Marseille, after 12 days of sailing at sea. More than 1,000 ships took part in the Bellamy's Parade around the bay, and finally landed on French soil. The Olympic torch then proceeded along the picturesque Mediterranean coast, sinking across the Etang de Sault. The torch arrived in France on May 14 in Corsica, or as it is called the Beautiful Island, and two days later penetrated the French walled city of Carcassonne, famous for its medieval citadel and watchtowers. Climbing to new heights, the torch was lit by a former mountaineer and ultra-trail athlete who zip-lined from the air to the water at the top of the rocky mountain, Perpetus Castle, where surfing took place in the city of Beirut, the birthplace of surfing in France, before the water sports continued at the White Water Stadium in Paris, where the Olympic torch was lowered. White Water Venue. After drying off, it became a special guest of the Cannes Film Festival. The torch relay continued to the famous vineyards of the Bordeaux region, known for its world-famous red wine, and the torch, carried by a small boat, was landed on Omaha Beach, a week before the anniversary of the Normandy landings today. It's been 80 years since 160,000 Allied soldiers, including American troops, landed here to drive out Nazi German forces. The torch relay also passed the white crosses of the Normandy American Cemetery, where more than 9,000 soldiers are buried. More than 10,000 people took part in the torch relay, which passed through more than 450 towns before the torch was lit.
Olympic torch approaches Paris with 50 days to go until opening ceremony
Updated: June 6, 2024 4:46 PM PDT
The Olympic Flame is the biggest symbol of the Olympics. There are now 50 days until the torch arrives at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics. The torch relay will run for 68 days. The first 11 days were spent in Greece, the birthplace of the Olympics. The torch was then handed over to the French delegation for a 12-day journey by boat to France. Since then, the torch has visited landmarks, castles, and monuments. The torch has been carried by elite athletes and ordinary people during the torch relay. Torchbearers are chosen by their local communities to emulate the ideals of the Olympic movement. Upcoming Olympic venues, such as the Pau-Pyrenees White Water Stadium, have been the highlights of the torch relay. The torch has traveled a whitewater course; it has graced the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival, circled the Bordeaux region, and traveled by boat to Omaha Beach. The visit coincided with the 80th anniversary of the landing of 160,000 Allied soldiers to drive out the Nazi German forces. More than 10,000 people will participate in the torch relay, which will pass through 450 towns. The flame will eventually reach Paris in time for the Olympic Opening Ceremony on July 26. Read more California's top stories here | Download our app.
The Olympic Flame is the biggest symbol of the Olympics. There are just 50 days left until it arrives at the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics.
The torch relay will take place over 68 days, with the first 11 days spent in Greece, the birthplace of the Olympic Games.
It was handed over to the French delegation and transported by ship over a 12-day journey to France.
Since then, the flame has visited landmarks, castles, monuments and more, and has been carried in a torch relay by elite athletes and ordinary people. Torchbearers are chosen by their local communities to embody the ideals of the Olympic Movement.
The torch relay highlighted future Olympic venues, including the Pau-Pyrenees White Water Stadium, as the torch made its way down a white water course.
The trip included walking the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival, touring the Bordeaux region and even taking a boat trip to Omaha Beach, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the landing of 160,000 Allied troops to drive out Nazi Germany.
The torch relay will pass through 450 towns and involve more than 10,000 participants, before finally reaching Paris in time for the Olympic opening ceremony on July 26.
See more California top news stories here | Download the app.
