Olympic Torch Illuminates Paris, Uniting City in Celebration

The Olympic flame has illuminated the streets of Paris for two days, carried by hundreds of torchbearers through the city's iconic landmarks and diverse neighborhoods. From the grandeur of the Louvre Museum to the towering Eiffel Tower, the torch has symbolized the spirit of the upcoming Summer Games.

Joyful crowds lined the route, cheering on the torchbearers as they ran at a slow pace, their white uniforms contrasting against the vibrant backdrop of Paris. BMX world champion Matthias Dandois, who carried the torch in front of the Eiffel Tower, expressed his emotions: "I got super emotional. I'm from Paris, and I grew up playing so much sport and watching the Olympics, and it was a dream to be a part of it."

About 10,000 people were selected to carry the flame across France, representing a diverse range of backgrounds. Athletes, artists, cultural figures, and community volunteers all had the honor of participating in this historic relay.

The torch reached the summit of the Eiffel Tower on Monday, carried by French judoka and Olympic champion Clarisse Agbegnenou. Francky Mbotto, a middle-distance runner from Central African Republic, described the experience as "incredible" and "emotional," emphasizing the message of peace conveyed by the relay.

Eva David, a wheelchair basketball athlete, shared her joy: "It's a real moment of jubilation." Belgian singer Mentissa carried the torch to the sound of her own music, highlighting the unifying power of sports and music.

The torch's grand entrance in Paris on Bastille Day featured military horse rider Col. Thibaut Vallette, a gold medalist at the 2016 Rio Games. It was then passed to students from the multicultural suburbs of Seine-Saint-Denis in front of French President Emmanuel Macron.

Former World Cup winner Thierry Henry, who leads France's Olympic soccer team, carried the flame down the Champs-Elysees avenue. Among the most popular torchbearers was K-Pop icon Jin, a member of the band BTS, who drew a significant crowd.

The torch relay also paid tribute to victims of the 2015 attacks in Paris, with Lassana Bathily, who saved lives during an attack at a kosher supermarket, carrying the torch at the Pantheon monument.

The torch will continue its journey through northern France and the Paris region before returning to the capital for the opening ceremony on July 26, where the Olympic cauldron will be lit after the ceremony on the River Seine.

Tags: #Paris2024, #OlympicTorchRelay, #EiffelTower, #LouvreMuseum, #BastilleDay