The Olympic Flame is now in French hands

The Olympic Flame is now in French hands

by Philip Barker at the Panathinaiko Stadium in Athens

Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet has pledged “to organise spectacular Games, but also Games that are more responsible, and that will contribute to a more inclusive society,” as he formally received the Olympic Flame after a memorable Ceremony bathed in evening sunlight at the historic stadium in Athens which had hosted the first Olympics of the Modern Era in 1896.

“What a stadium, what emotion! I discovered it 20 years ago, when I was an athlete at the Athens Games, and I’m delighted to be back for another very special moment,” Estanguet said.

After the last two Handover Ceremonies when no spectators were permitted as part of COVID-19 precautions, long queues had already formed an hour and a half before the Ceremony was due to begin.

As a prelude to the official protocol, young Greek gymnasts from the Wolves team opened with a display which concluded as their costumes transformed from red to the colours of the five Olympic Rings.

There was also a display of “The Dance of the Games” by youngsters from the Greek French School dressed in the colours of the Tricolor and a demonstration of breaking, the new Olympic sport. The routine entitled “Olympic Cypher” was the finale of a series which have been performed in Greek cities as the Flame made its way through the country over the last eleven days.

The flags were raised by the elite Presidential Guard known as the Evzones.

The Olympic Hymn was first performed in this very stadium 128 years ago at the first Olympics of the Modern Era. This time the ERT symphony orchestra accompanied by the CHORES women’s choir conducted by Tasos Rosopoulos combined to produce a memorable moment.

The Marseillaise and the Greek national anthem were both sung by Nana Mouskouri.

Now 89, Mouskouri is still revered in both Greece and France,

She wore a long white gown and her appearance was clearly appreciated by the crowd.

Then came the arrival of the Flame which had begun the final day in Corinth and had also travelled through Marathon.

Among the carriers was Maria Bogner of the Olympic Studies Centre in Lausanne and Greek television sports presenter Katerina Anastasopoulou, also the Producer of Agones, a television documentary chronicling the history of the Olympics.

The final bearers included Antigoni Drisbioti, a double gold medallist at the 2022 European Championship in the walks.

Beiing 2022 Ice dance gold medallist Gabriella Papadakis was the penultimate French Torch Bearer on Greek soil.

“I’ve had my part in the summer Olympics for the first time, I was very honoured, just being here as a French and Greek Olympian makes it even more special,” Papadakis said.

“I felt the eyes of everybody was on me but I was mostly here to enjoy myself but at the Olympics there is so much pressure you can scarcely enjoy it.”

She passed the torch to Beatrice Hess who won her first medals at the 1984 Paralympics and was still winning at Athens 2004.

For me it was very important that I took part in this and wanted to do this on my own,” said Hess.

“I have memories it was very special to return because this was where I won my last medals.”

The final Torchbearer on Greek soil was water polo captain Ioannis Fountoulis who won Olympic silver at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago.

It fell to Hellenic Olympic Committee President Spyros Capralos, himself a water polo Olympian 40 years ago, to pass the Flame to Estanguet.

The Flame is to head for Marseille where Florent Manaudou, 50 metres freestyle gold medallist at London 2012 has been named as the first Torch Bearer on French soil.

His sister Laure was a Torch Bearer in Ancient Olympia as the Relay began.