"A day of celebration": Thousands gather in Marseille to watch the Olympic flame arrive in France
Even before seeing the Olympic flame arrive on French soil, the anticipation was already high in Marseille.
Hours before Florent Manaudou was set to arrive in Vieux-Port with the Olympic torch in hand, thousands of people were already congregating on the city's coastline to watch events unfold.
Alongside family or friends, they had all gathered on a sunny day to watch the Belem, the majestic three-masted ship that set sail from Athens on 27 April, bring the Olympic flame to France.
After parading in Marseille’s northern bay, the Belem sailed in front of the famous Vallon des Auffes, leading a procession of hundreds of boats that slowly made their way towards the Pointe Rouge, with the Chateau d'If and the Îles du Frioul glistening under a clear blue Provençal sky.
Adrien had recently arrived in Marseille and held his daughter on his shoulders while watching the boats sail past. "It’s a beautiful procession.
"Majestic and moving,” he said without taking his eyes off the Belem. “It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience”.
The arrival of the Olympic flame gives a glimpse of what's in store at the upcoming Games
More than the moment itself, Adrien explained how the symbolism of the event carries far greater significance.
“Sharing the values of Olympism is great. Coming together, opening up to others, it’s a message that deserves to be defended at this moment, in these times when we are very withdrawn.
"It’s important to come together around an event like this," he said.
Many people watching the Olympic flame arrive in France the day before the start of the Olympic Torch Relay may already live in Marseille, but others travelled around the country to attend the historic event.
Among them were Etienne, Albane, Julie and Anne-Dominique, who travelled from Beaujolais overnight to be in the city for 06:00.
“We didn’t want to miss this occasion,” they said. “We’re very proud to see the Belem. We came here especially for this event and we're going to enjoy the day.
“We love the Olympic atmosphere. Everyone is looking forward to the Games.”
The arrival of the Olympic flame in Marseille gives a tantalising taste of what’s to come at the Olympic Games, which is now less than three months away.
Elisabeth and her family have tickets to see the football in the nearby stadium, while they will travel to Paris to attend the 3x3 basketball, gymnastics, volleyball and athletics events.
But today, they stand proudly watching events unfold in their local city.
“It happens only once in a lifetime,” she said. “It showcases our city. We will see the arrival of the Olympic flame and the Soprano concert tonight.”
Celebrations in full swing as thousands await the beginning of the Olympic Torch Relay in Marseille
Soprano’s concert with Alonzo, his former partner in the group Psy 4 de la Rime, from Marseille, is set to begin at 21:00 in the Vieux-Port.
But even before then, plenty of events were already in full swing.
On one side of Vieux-Port, a group of professional dancers were busy doing battle in breaking, a sport which will make its Olympic debut at Paris 2024.
“Wow, they’re so strong”, said Lucas, one of dozens of children watching on.
A bit further along, a Just Dance event was taking place in front of the City Hall.
“It’s really fun to dance all together and the kids are giving everything!” said Sandrine, who was dancing along to Despacito with her two children.
“It’s really a day of celebration.”
And the celebrations are far from over.
At 19:40, the Belem will dock in the Vieux-Port, where Florent Manaudou will step onto a floating athletics track with the Paris 2024 Olympic torch in his hand.
That's when the party will really get started.
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