Martin Nahmias will continue to wear the official white T-shirt uniform for the select few who will carry the Olympic torch across France, but as a drag queen advocating for inclusivity, it will be glorified. It will be.
The 31-year-old, who performs as “Miss Martini,” said she planned to “accessorize” Saturday's parade with “a beautiful belt, beautiful heels and a great wig.”
The Olympic torch will arrive in France on Wednesday to begin a cross-country tour that will end in Paris when the Olympics begin on July 26. Nahmias will be one of the most memorable torchbearers, and he believes he is the first drag queen torchbearer.
“It's an honor to be able to do it and to let the whole world know that in France you can be a drag queen and carry the torch,” Nahmias told AFP during a photo shoot amidst a frilly flame. That's important,” he said. Red colored dress and long blonde wig.
Nahmias, a physiotherapist, lives in Marseille and started appearing at LGBT+ clubs and other venues as Miss Martini in 2015.
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He will be a 200-meter torchbearer in Dignes-les-Bagnes near the French Alps.
He said he would do anything to “put on a show, make people dance, put joy on people's faces and give them dreams.” He also wants to emphasize the need for an inclusive French society, where everyone has a place.
Another drag queen, Minima Geste, will carry the torch as it passes through Paris on July 14th and 15th.
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The choice led to a social media onslaught, which Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said was further amplified by “far-right media.”
“It's clear that the far right is against drag queens carrying the torch,” Nahmias said. But he added that with his own appearance on the route, “it's the beginning of discussion and reflection, and it shows inclusivity.”
Nahmias also wants to draw attention to the sensitive issue of transgender people participating in top-level sports.
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A transgender person participated in the heavyweight competition at the Tokyo Olympics. However, the International Olympic Committee said there was no “scientific consensus” on the general role of testosterone in sport, so it was for each sport to decide.
“The answer is not OK,” Nahmias said. It's a way to “ban transgender participation” in sports.
“Olympic values are great and universal,” he said. “We support sports and inclusivity for everyone. Society is changing and we think the Olympic system must change as well.”
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