[2024-07-26] Olympians join IOC President for final leg of Olympic Torch Relay in Paris
The Olympic Torch Relay moved ever closer to the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 today. With the help of a group of Olympic legends, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President and distinguished guests carried the Olympic flame through the Olympic Village – a strong demonstration of peace and solidarity from the home of the athletes from the territories of all 206 National Olympic Committees (NOCs).
Athletes lined the streets in the Village and cheered on as the flame was carried by IOC President Thomas Bach, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, and former UN Secretary-General and Chair of the IOC Ethics Commission Ban Ki-moon.
They join an illustrious list of around 10,000 torchbearers – including French Olympians, sporting legends and others selected for their positive impact on French society – who have participated in the relay during its epic 69-day journey across France and its overseas territories.
“It’s always an emotional moment to run with the torch, but to do it in the Olympic Village and amongst all the athletes, this really goes straight to my heart, It is, for me, the most moving experience I ever had with the torch relay. Here, in the heart of the Games, in the Olympic Village, it is a great moment to see all the athletes excited and getting ready for the competitions.”
Commenting on the number of athletes present to cheer the relay, Bach added: “This shows the fascination the Olympic flame has. And it also shows the commitment of the athletes to the Olympic values, because this flame, this torch, is a demonstration of our values. And seeing the athletes rallying behind these values and rallying behind this call for peace, which is coming from these Olympic Games, is really a great Olympic moment.”
Source: International Olympic Committee
