PARIS 2024. Historic sites and big names, the collective torch relays revealed

Les premiers contours du relais de la flamme. MAXPPP

Du cyclisme au Mont Saint-Michel, de l'équitation à Omaha Beach, et la présence de sportifs de renom: les sites et premiers capitaines des relais collectifs du parcours de la flamme olympique et paralympique de Paris-2024 ont été dévoilés mercredi.

Each of these collective relays will participate in strolls or demonstrations in several cities in France, and also in "unusual&quot places. or "spectacular", according to the organizers. This is the case of a collective fencing relay which will perform at the Lascaux IV site, in Dordogne (south-west), or even at that of climbing which will go to the cliff of Sisteron (south-east), in May.

Several historic places in the northwest, such as Mont Saint-Michel, Les Sables d'Olonne or even Omaha Beach, the famous D-Day landing beach, will be the playground for cycling representatives, sailing and horse riding. Furthermore, Teahupo'o, in Tahiti, the site selected for the surfing events and subject to controversy surrounding its potential new aluminum judges' tower, will host the collective relay of the discipline in June.

69 relay of 24 people

More than 3,000 torchbearers will take part in the Olympic torch team relays, from May 8 to July 26, and Paralympic torch relays between August 25 and 28. In total, the captains and sites of 69 relays – each made up of 24 people – were revealed. Thus, the five-time long course swimming world champion Camille Lacourt will guide the swimming relay on July 19 in Sarcelles, in the Paris suburbs. A few days later, Taekwondo champion Pascal Gentil will be in Gennevilliers, also near Paris.

Several Olympic champions will also be there, such as Laura Flessel as captain of the fencing relay on June 15 in Guadeloupe. Six collective relays will also be present on the Paralympic flame route. Each of them will highlight volunteers, young para-athletes or even caregivers and members of associations. In addition, parasport will also be highlighted on the Olympic flame route.

10,000 torchbearers

The latter will cross France for 80 days over nearly 12,000 kilometers starting on May 8. Carried by 10,000 torchbearers, it will be lit on April 16 in Greece, arriving by boat on May 8 in Marseille before crossing more than 400 cities and five overseas territories, before arriving in Paris on July 26.