Olympic flame in Montpellier: discover the route and the eight known torchbearers!

Les huit personnalités montpelliéraines du monde du sport qui porteront la flamme ont été présentées. Midi Libre – Jean-Michel Mart

The Olympic and Paralympic year in Montpellier was launched this Thursday evening at the Antigone Olympic swimming pool. City and Metropolis are teaming up with the territories of Sète and Millau to share a dynamic of preparation centers for the Olympic Games.

The three planned routes. Sophie Wauquier – Midi Libre

A century later, Paris will once again host the Summer Olympic Games, from July 26 to August 11. But unlike 1924, Montpellier will be part of the party! With the communities of Sète and Millau, our city made a commitment in 2020 to obtain the 'Terre de Jeux 2024' label. Olympic base camps will house disciplines linked to the sea (Sète), in the countryside (Millau) or in an urban environment (Montpellier).

Thus, the Angelotti Olympic swimming pool, in Antigone, will host the Ukrainian artistic swimming team, the South African swimming team, and will welcome torchbearers Olympic on May 13.

It was precisely at the Olympic swimming pool that the launch party took place, this Thursday February 8 in the evening, around  Michaël Delafosse, mayor of Montpellier and president of Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole.

Michaël Delafosse and his elected sports delegates unveiled the route of the flame this Thursday evening. Jean-Michel Mart – Midi Libre

A great sporting year

The major sporting events of 2024 were presented: French Taekwondo Championships at the FDI stadium (February 16-18), Handball Continents Trophy at the Arena (March 14-16), French Table Tennis Championships at the FDI stadium (March 22-24), Montpellier Run festival in the city center (April 6-7), FISE on the Rives du Lez (May 8-12), France-Germany basketball match at the Arena (8 July)…

A hundred flame bearers

In addition to the route (read above), among the hundred torchbearers, eight personalities from the world of sport will have the honor of carrying the flame Olympic and Paralympic. Decathlete Kevin Mayer, rugby player Safi Ndiaye, armchair rugby player Brice Maurel, para-triathlete Luan Mazet-Vignaud, former rugby player Pascal Cances and educator Lucie Miramond will carry the flame Olympic on May 13.

Kevin Mayer Midi Libre – JEAN MICHEL MART

Pascal Cances Midi Libre – PIERRE SALIBA

A Paralympic relay on August 25

Para-athlete Arnaud Assoumani and rhythmic gymnast Lili Ramonatxo will take turns over 2 km to carry the Paralympic flame on August 25. The cauldron will be lit three days later in Paris. Note that Montpellier is the only city in France which will host the Olympic flame and the Paralympic flame.

A high-level Montpellier Team

The Montpellier Metropolis launched two individual financial assistance schemes in 2022. Endowed with a total of nearly 100,000 euros, they supported 81 athletes and five ambassadors. You have until February 15 to submit your application: montpellier3m.fr/TeamMHN

Honored to carry the flame

Lily Ramonatxo

Ambassador of Montpellier sport and rhythmic gymnast within Montpellier 3 M GRS, Lily Ramonatxo says it straight away: "It’s an honor, I am very, very moved…". And for good reason: "I first learned that I was a replacement to carry the flame then, about two weeks ago, I knew that I would be carrying the flame. the Paralympic flame,” says the young 18-year-old athlete. And then participate in the relay here… "Plus, it’s my city!", she enthuses. "The flame is the symbol of peace and sportsmanship. This concept of relay adds an additional element of sharing, continues Lily Ramonatxo.
And if she does not yet know the portion she will take on the big day, it is, for her, an opportunity to promote sport for all. It's about sharing this great celebration together and putting the spotlight on inclusive sport, the young woman's motto. Well aware of being part of those who will experience and bring to life a unique moment in a sporting career.
On her record, Lily Ramonatxo won bronze in the French elite all-around competition in Mulhouse last May. She also made a name for herself during the grand prix in Brno (Czech Republic) in June and during the World Cup event in Cluj-Napoca (Romania) in July.

 

Pascal Cances

Former rugby star and now a major player in the sports education of young people from Montpellier, Pascal Cances still couldn't believe it when the flame bearers were announced, "It’s a immense pride and unexpected recognition,” explains the former Montpellier rugby player. Those who now make well-being and sporting cohesion their life must still get back in the saddle for next May 13, "My body as a high-level athlete is a little broken but I will do everything to carry the flame as it should and to make proud all the young people I have met over the past 40 years,” assures the vice-president of the club “Les Cistus”.  "Ultimate coincidence" as’he jokes, 2024 will be for Pascal Cances the year of his 60th birthday. But there is no question that this will stop his passion, "these games will mark an entire generation and knowing that the young people I support can experience that, that has no point price”, he concluded. 

 

Kevin Mayer

Athlete and double decathlon world champion, Kevin Mayer will be eagerly awaited during these Olympic Games. "We are at home, there is obviously additional pressure. When the competitions take place on the other side of the world, we are not as surrounded,” explains the man who will represent France, but also Montpellier next July during the Paris 2024 Olympics. But before that, he will be passing through his city  with the Olympic flame. "It’s an immense pride to be able to represent the young people of Montpellier. When I was little, I dreamed with my parents of playing games and today, I think of this child who, years later, carries the flame and in his city,” he concludes . 

In full preparation for the qualifications, which will take place next March in San Diego in the United States, the high-level athlete does not hide his emotion. "We trained hard to be able to compete in the qualifications in the best possible conditions.
For him, these games have a special meaning. "It’s surely the competition of a lifetime and I’m only waiting for one thing: to arrive in full possession of my abilities on the track, and live the moment 100% ".