The Paralympic flame arrives in Montpellier: Romane Bernies and Lily Ramonaxto among the 24 torchbearers this Sunday

Romane Bernies will be part of the party in the streets of Montpellier on Sunday. MAXPPP – MATTHIEU BOTTE

Lily Ramonatxo will be one of the torchbearers. Métropole de Montpellier

This Sunday, 24 torchbearers including BLMA basketball player Romane Bernies and Montpellier gymnast Lily Ramonatxo will carry the Paralympic flame on a 1.7 km loop taken three times between the Esplanade du Peyrou and the Place de la Comédie between 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Romane Bernies, the silver basketball player

Exactly 15 days ago, Romane Bernies and her teammates from the French basketball team came very close to one of the greatest feats in the history of French sport. In the final of the Olympic tournament, they fell just one point behind the Americans and left with a magnificent silver medal. The Lattes-Montpellier player and her teammates thrilled the whole of France at the closing of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

"I was thrilled by the idea"

After a few days of well-deserved vacation, Romane Bernies (31 years old) is back in Montpellier for a great occasion: the 31-year-old player who will begin her eighth season in Hérault has been asked to be one of the 24 torchbearers carrying the Paralympic flame: “I was excited by the idea from the start, she explains. I am happy to be recognized as a Montpellier athlete, I also like the idea of ​​representing basketball and women in Montpellier. It is a great recognition.”

For someone who has just experienced an extraordinary Olympic Games, it is an opportunity to continue the celebration: “I am happy to be part of this moment,” she continues. I have just finished the Olympic Games and I am looking forward to watching the Paralympic Games. I have always had a lot of respect for these athletes who all have a story and who offer us great life lessons. I am delighted to be able to represent them by participating in this day.”

"Fully behind the Paralympic athletes"

And to conclude with a few words for the athletes who will participate in the Paralympic Games: “I was lucky enough to win a beautiful silver medal, I wish that for all the athletes. Participating in this torch relay is also to tell them that we are fully behind them. I want to tell them to enjoy this event, the Games at home are unique, the enthusiasm of the French is incredible. It is a special experience, one that will mark your life. I hope they bring home lots of medals."

Lily Ramonatxo, the enchanted gymnast

A native of Montpellier, Lily Ramonatxo is part of the Paralympic torch relay team after participating in the Olympic torch relay on May 13: "I experienced the Olympic torch relay through a gymnastics demonstration on the Place de la Comédie, it was magical, confirms the 19-year-old athlete. I can't wait and I can't wait.”

A member of the French team in her discipline, Lily Ramonatxo discovered rhythmic gymnastics thanks to a training course organized by the city when she was a child. She is particularly attached to Montpellier: “I represent rhythmic gymnastics, a little-publicized sport that has a big place in Montpellier,” she exclaims. I was born here, I started gymnastics at the Montpellier club in La Mosson.”

“A great honor and pride”

So, participating in the party on the sidelines of the Paralympic Games is a special event for the Montpellier resident: “It's a great honour and a source of pride, I'm grateful for that. Sharing these moments between athletes and para-athletes adds a form of inclusivity, like for the Olympic torch relay. It's a very good initiative. The Olympic Games were magical and popular, I hope for the same excitement for the Paralympic Games."

They will participate

Michaël Delafosse, Mayor of Montpellier
“Montpellier is the city of sport and all sportspeople. It is obvious that we will also welcome the Paralympic flame. We have made a bet from the start that the Games would be an extraordinary opportunity for France. We have mobilized to be a torch relay, so that the fervor is there in the streets of Montpellier. It is evidence of a commitment to Paralympic sport. I think of all these athletes who practice sport in our clubs. They are a great source of pride for us. As President of the Metropolis and Mayor of Montpellier, I am very proud that the city was able to host the two flames."

Luan Mazet-Vignaud, Montpellier athlete in para triathlon
"I was a bearer of the Olympic flame, it was an incredible moment, a dream. The Games are something unforgettable. We saw that the Paris 2024 Olympic Games were a grandiose party that brought together all of France and the whole world for two weeks. This has already had an impact on the ticket sales for the Paralympic Games, which have increased in recent days. I hope that this Paralympic torch relay will also be a great party.”

Anne-Marie Gibelin, athlete from Montpellier, silver medalist in table tennis at the Paralympic Games in Atlanta in 1996
“After my accident, when I was 20, sport was a way for me to accept my disability and above all to transcend myself. The Paralympic Games in France are quite symbolic. It makes you vibrate when you have experienced that as an athlete. In recent years, they have been more publicized than in my time. This year, they are being put forward a lot and that is very good. We have come a long way even if the resources are still far from those allocated to able-bodied athletes. We have also made progress in terms of accessibility even if there is still more to do.”

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