Paris 2024 Olympic Games: “I was moved to tears”… The testimony of a Montpellier resident carrying the flame for the Grenoble Olympic Games

Sidney Biton “Une belle reconnaissance pour touts les bénévoles” Midi Libre – Richard Gougis

Montpellier Sidney Biton, former international volleyball referee and volunteer at Montpellier Hérault, carried the flame to Montpellier in 1968 for the Grenoble Winter Olympics. At 88 years old, he remembers this great moment of emotion.

The memory lights up the golden glitter of his gaze with the intensity of an eternal fire. For a little, one could detect the coppery flashes of the torch that he had the privilege of carrying on that night in January 1968, a few days before the opening of the Winter Games from Grenoble. Sidney Biton's voice adds a sound tinged with emotion to the yellowed and slightly blurred image emerging from this other era, far, far away from the colorful ceremonial of Paris 2024.

A one-kilometer relay, route de Nîmes

"It’was on the road to Nîmes, not very far from the Saint-Lazare cemetery, says the Montpellier resident. We had to travel almost a kilometer at the time. I was chosen by the Regional Sports Directorate. A true honor…"

A night relay, route de Nîmes, in January 1968, before the Winter Olympics in Grenoble. Sidney Biton

Being one of the 5,000 torch bearers, at just 32 years old, was a rare distinction for the Algerian native, coach and future international volleyball referee, who had already, at the time, , obtained three titles of champion of France hopefuls with the young people of the MUC. But also an almost anticipatory reward for this sports enthusiast who has never stopped devoting himself to volunteering in all its forms since. In Montpellier Hérault of the Nicollin family, for more than 30 years, where he supervised the women's team for a long time. But also in the premises of Radio Aviva, where every morning he hosts columns and interviews on sports news with the energy and freshness of a 20-year-old intern.

"Recognition for volunteer commitment"

Sometimes you have to hold on to follow him because at 88 years old, Sidney still often lets himself be overwhelmed by this enthusiasm, especially when it comes to reliving this historic moment. He remembers "The bikers, the police escort who accompanied me during this relay of what ? Maybe four or five minutes. But I don't remember who I passed the witness to that day…"Caught up, like so many others, by an emotion loaded with symbols.

"I am a very sensitive person and… yes, I think the tears ended up flowing. I didn't necessarily realize the significance of the moment but what I understood well was the recognition that this could represent for all the volunteers, all the investment that we can put in it."

Meeting with Pope Paul VI

Sidney recognizes it, sport gave him back everything it gave him, through this moment of grace but also " lots of fabulous encounters like the opportunity to talk with Pope Paul VI at the Vatican.

Also read:Paris 2024 Olympic Games: the routes and the program around the Olympic flame this Monday, May 13 in Montpellier

For all these reasons, he does not understand the torrent of criticism falling on the organization of the Paris Games: &quot ;I do not share these views. You shouldn't mix things up. At the time, there was great enthusiasm behind the Grenoble Games. We live in difficult times and sport, which occupies a large place in our lives, brings people together in these moments. We must know how to recognize these virtues."

In front of his screen, this summer, Sidney Biton will be there to follow the Olympic events. "Volleyball, obviously, but also handball that I love and of course football, because I come from a family of footballers…" And born in 1936, the year of the creation of the torch relay. Like a sign of destiny.

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