MARSEILLE, France — (AP) — Excitement is building in the southern French city of Marseille. The majestic three-masted ship carrying the Olympic torch arrived from Greece ahead of a sunset welcome ceremony on Wednesday.
Paris organizers have promised “amazing” celebrations in the city, where the Old Port is under tight security.
The torch was lit in Greece last month before being officially handed over to France. They departed Athens aboard a ship named Belem, first used in 1896, and spent 12 days at sea.
Wednesday's dusk welcome ceremony will include a jet demonstration by the French Air Force's aerobatics team, Patrouille de France.
More than a thousand boats accompany Belém's parade around the Bay of Marseille. The ship docks on a track-like pontoon in the Old Port.
Tony Estinguett, president of the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee, said: “The return of the Olympics to our country will be a great celebration.”
“As a former athlete, I know how important the start of a competition is. That is why we chose Marseille, because Marseille is undoubtedly one of the most beloved cities for sports. ,” added Estangue, a former Olympic canoeing star who won gold medals at the 2000, 2004 and 2012 Olympics.
The safety of visitors and residents is a top priority for authorities in Marseille, France's second-largest city with a population of about 1 million people. About 8,000 police officers have been deployed around the port, where tens of thousands of spectators are expected to gather for the ceremony.
Thousands of firefighters and bomb squads have been deployed across the city, while maritime police and anti-drone teams patrol the city's waters and airspace.
Deputy Mayor Yannick Ohanessien said: “Today is a monumental day and we have worked hard to ensure that visitors and residents of Marseille can enjoy this historic moment.”
The torch relay will start in Marseille on Thursday before heading to Paris via iconic locations across the country, from the world-famous Mont Saint-Michel to Normandy's D-Day landing beaches and the Palace of Versailles.
Many people and families were strolling along the Mediterranean promenade, their faces filled with excitement and curiosity. A band of musicians wearing T-shirts with the slogan “Marseille is proud to welcome the Olympic torch” joins tourists and residents as they prepare the Olympic stage and Ponton Bridge, where the torch will be held. The workers who were working there were entertained. It is transported by ship to mainland France.
“I wanted to see what was going on, so if it wasn't too crowded, I would come later with my children and watch the torch arrive,” said Marseille resident Paul Vouarambon as he walked along the Old Port with his son. I thought I'd come,” he said. Despite the high security situation and major renovations throughout the city in preparation for Wednesday's ceremony, Vorranbon said “people here are pretty happy with the Olympics.”
French Sports Minister Amélie Houdea-Castella underlined the symbolic and practical importance of the Paris Games after many years of preparation.
“We sincerely hope that the start of the torch relay here will increase the enthusiasm and pride of the French people. It will bring us a moment of great celebration and joy,” said Oudea-Castella. He spoke in an interview with the Associated Press.
“Sports can evoke such emotions and Olympism is more than just a sport,” she added. “The torch relay conveys a message to the world and is a symbol of peace.”
Olympic swimmer Florent Manadou has been chosen to be the first torch bearer in France. Manaudu, who won four Olympic medals, is the younger brother of swimmer Laure Manaudu, who won three Olympic medals in Athens in 2004.
“We are very proud,” said Marseille Mayor Benoît Payen. “This is where it all starts.”
The show “will surprise the world,” Payan said, adding that up to 150,000 spectators were expected at the Old Port.
The people of Marseille “have a sense of celebration, competition, sport and Olympism in their hearts,” he said, recalling that the city was founded by Greek settlers some 2,600 years ago. Ta.
On Tuesday, military helicopters flew over the old port, which has various fences in place, and a police and military presence could be seen patrolling Marseille's city centre.
French interior ministry spokeswoman Camille Chaise said officials were preparing for security threats, including terrorism.
“We have taken various measures, in particular we have an elite National Military Police Intervention Group unit that will participate in the torch relay from start to finish,” she said.
The Olympic cauldron will be lit after the opening ceremony on the Seine River on July 26th.
The cauldron will be lit at a location in Paris and will be kept secret until the day of the event. Some of the reported options include iconic spots like the Eiffel Tower and the Jardin des Tuileries outside the Louvre.
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Barbara Surk contributed from Nice, France. AP journalists Jeffrey Schaefer, Oleg Setinich, Nicholas Garriga and Daniel Cole contributed to this article.
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