The Olympic flame has arrived in Marseille with high security as part of its journey to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Initially lit in Olympia, Greece, on April 11, 2024, the torch reached Marseille on the Belem, a historic three-masted ship. This event marked the beginning of its French relay.

Upon arrival, an extensive celebration involved more than 1,000 boats escorting the Belem to the dock, where French President Emmanuel Macron and approximately 150,000 spectators welcomed the flame. Security for the event was robust, involving 6,000 law enforcement officers among other security personnel.

Marseille, significant for being France’s oldest city and founded by Greeks, plays a symbolic role in welcoming the torch. Tony Estanguet, President of the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee, remarked on the historical resonance of the Games returning to a country pivotal in the revival of the modern Olympics.

The torch relay is set to feature prominent figures like local former Marseille football players and is anticipated to draw over 10,000 participants who will carry the torch across a 7,500-mile route throughout France, including iconic locations such as Mont Saint-Michel and the French Alps, before it arrives in Paris on Bastille Day, July 14, 2024.

The relay will also extend to French overseas territories in what is being dubbed the “Ocean Relay.” Environmental sustainability is a focus, with adaptations like the use of biogas for the torch.

The Paris Organizing Committee has engaged a wide array of torchbearers to symbolize inclusivity and resilience, reflecting themes of unity and peace despite some controversies over selected participants.

The Olympic flame is set to ignite the cauldron at the opening ceremony on July 26, 2024, in Paris, although the exact location remains undisclosed. Preparations continue amidst heightened security measures, reflecting both the celebratory and cautious approach to the upcoming global sporting event.