The journey of the Olympic flame for the Paris 2024 Games commenced on Saturday, making its way from Greece’s Piraeus port aboard the historic French vessel Belem.
This marks the first instance in Olympic history where the flame is being transported by sea, highlighting a maritime route that bridges the birthplace of the Games to their modern iterations.
The Belem, a three-masted ship launched in 1896—the same year the first modern Olympics were held in Athens—began its voyage precisely 90 days ahead of the Olympic Games’ opening ceremony scheduled for July 26. This sea journey of the flame encapsulates not only a physical transition but also a symbolic passage from the ancient traditions of the Olympics to their contemporary celebrations.
As the ship set sail, Tony Estanguet, President of the Organizing Committee for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, participated in the send-off. Just a day prior, Estanguet officially received the flame during a handover ceremony at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, site of the 1896 Games. “We are looking forward to welcoming the world,” Estanguet remarked, emphasizing the global anticipation building up to the event.
The flame was lit on April 16 at Ancient Olympia, the original grounds of the Olympics dating back 2,800 years. From there, it traversed Greece, culminating in the handover and its embarkation on Belem. The ship is scheduled to arrive at the port of Marseille on May 8, where it will ignite the second leg of the torch relay across France.
Estanguet highlighted the 2024 Games’ focus on sustainability and gender equality, promising a legacy that will leave behind cleaner facilities such as the river Seine and inspire a new generation. “The Paris Games will hopefully engage more youth in sport,” he added, reflecting on the broader societal impacts anticipated from hosting the Games.
French Minister for Sport and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Amelie Oudea-Castera, also spoke about the deeper symbolism of the Olympic flame. “The Olympic flame is a symbol of Olympism, carrying the values of peace and unity,” she told reporters in front of the Belem, reinforcing the ideals that the Olympic movement strives to uphold.
Accompanying the Belem on its initial journey was the Olympias, a reconstructed ancient Athenian trireme, which escorted the flame out of Piraeus port. The departure was a festive occasion, with spectators waving French flags and expressing their best wishes for the success of the Paris Games.
As the ship sails towards France, the event unifies historical reverence with contemporary celebration, setting the stage for what Paris 2024 hopes to be a transformative edition of the Olympic Games. This journey not only marks a significant logistical undertaking but also serves as a reminder of the enduring appeal and symbolic power of the Olympic flame as it traverses continents and cultures, igniting spirits and fostering unity ahead of the world’s foremost sporting spectacle.
