Visit our website:
http://www.france24.com
Like us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/FRANCE24.English
Follow us on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/France24_en
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00 The French rapper Jules lights the Olympic cauldron before a cheering crowd of thousands.
00:06 With the torch in hand a historic moment on Marseille's old port.
00:12 Highlighted by plumes of red, white and blue smoke.
00:18 The most listened to rapper in France was born in Marseille
00:25 and his presence at the ceremony was a well-guarded secret.
00:28 Moments before another icon, Florent Manodou, the Olympic French swimming champion,
00:34 handed the torch off to Paralympic athlete Nantana Kieta, a gold medalist in the 2016 games.
00:41 They made their way down a floating platform
00:44 while above the French air force drew the Olympic rings in the sky.
00:49 Minutes before as the Baleme arrived in Marseille's old port,
00:55 Florent Manodou took the torch in hand and held it up for the crowd to see.
01:00 Overcome with emotion.
01:01 They called me a few weeks ago to give me the news.
01:05 I had tears in my eyes.
01:07 There to greet the flame some 150,000 spectators gathered at the old port.
01:15 Hundreds of others on the beaches of Marseille
01:19 and in the parks along the shore hoping to catch a glimpse.
01:23 I'm so excited to see it and to be part of this big event.
01:26 The majestic Baleme spent much of the day along the coast
01:32 escorted by about 1,000 sailboats and motorboats.
01:36 There to welcome the ship to French shores.
01:39 Among the throngs of people, some 6,000 police officers
01:45 securing the old port for the ceremony.
01:48 A test for Paris with France on its highest state of alert ahead of the 2024 games.
01:57 of the 2024 games.