Torchbearers carried the Olympic flame through the streets of France's southern port city of Marseille, a day after it arrived on a majestic three-mast ship for a welcoming ceremony.

Marseille

The Olympic torch commenced its 11-week relay across France, receiving a vibrant welcome in Marseille. The relay began when French rapper Jules ignited the Olympic cauldron, an event that drew thousands of spectators to the old port of Marseille amid a display of fireworks in the national colors. This act marked a significant moment, with Jules, Marseille's most renowned rapper, lighting the cauldron, previously unannounced and adding an element of surprise to the ceremony.

Florent Manodou, a celebrated French Olympic swimmer, preceded Jules in the ceremony by passing the torch to Paralympic gold medalist Nantana Kieta. The chain of events unfolded on a floating platform under the watch of the French air force, which sketched the Olympic rings overhead. Manodou, visibly moved during the ceremony, shared his emotional response upon receiving the honor of participating a few weeks prior.

The entrance of the Bellem, a three-mast ship, into Marseille's old port was met by admiring onlookers. Some 150,000 people congregated at the port, with many more lining the beaches and parks, hoping to witness the Olympic flame's arrival. The Bellem was greeted by approximately 1,000 sailboats and motorboats in a majestic procession along the coast.

The event was not only a spectacle of celebration but also an operational success, with around 6,000 police officers deployed to ensure the safety of the participants and spectators. This massive security arrangement underscored France's commitment to safety, given its heightened state of alert in anticipation of the 2024 Olympic Games. The Olympic torch relay's journey through France promises to be a unifying event for the nation as it prepares to host the upcoming Games.



The Olympic torch begins 11-week relay across France

The French rapper Jules lights the Olympic cauldron before a cheering crowd of thousands. With the torch in hand a historic moment on Marseille's old port. Highlighted by plumes of red, white and blue smoke. The most listened to rapper in France was born in Marseille and his presence at the ceremony was a well-guarded secret. Moments before another icon, Florent Manodou, the Olympic French swimming champion handed the torch off to Paralympic athlete Nantana Kieta, a gold medalist in the 2016 games. They made their way down a floating platform while above the French air force drew the Olympic rings in the sky. Minutes before as the Bellem arrived in Marseille's old port Florent Manodou took the torch in hand and held it up for the crowd to see. Overcome with emotion. They called me a few weeks ago to give me the news. I had tears in my eyes. There to greet the flame some 150,000 spectators gathered at the old port. Hundreds of others on the beaches of Marseille and in the parks along the shore hoping to catch a glimpse. I'm so excited to see it and to be part of this big event. The majestic Bellem spent much of the day along the coast escorted by about 1,000 sailboats and motorboats there to welcome the ship to French shores. Among the throngs of people some 6,000 police officers securing the old port for the ceremony. A test for Paris with France on its highest state of alert ahead of the 2024 games.

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