Olympic Flame Continues Its Journey Across France
The Olympic flame's journey continues to captivate communities as it travels through various locations in France. This week, the torch relayed through Indre and Châteauroux, then paraded in Maine-et-Loire on Tuesday, May 28, before the Olympic cauldron was lit in Angers in the early evening. Over 89 torchbearers had the honor of carrying the flame across the region.
The day began in Baugé-en-Anjou, where the flame was carried from the René-d'Anjou cultural center to the Château de Montsoreau. This Renaissance castle, now a contemporary art museum, provided a picturesque backdrop for the relay. From there, the torch traveled to Lion-d'Angers, navigating a course between the local sports complex and racecourse.
Following a scenic route through the vineyards of Chaudefonds-sur-Layon, the torch continued its journey through La Romagna. Here, the La Stella sports complex, home to the bastion club of French men's table tennis for two decades, hosted a collective relay of table tennis players led by Patrick Chila.
Saint-Florent-le-Vieil marked the next stop, where the relay traveled from Maison Julien Gracq to the abbey church overlooking Mont-Glonne. The day's festivities culminated in Angers, with a celebration beginning at the Josette and Roger Mikulak sports park. The torchbearers paraded through the city's historic sites, ending at the Jean-Lurçat museum. The final ceremony at Place la Rochefoucauld featured a DJ, various entertainment, and a giant screen for attendees.
Looking ahead, the Olympic flame will make its way to Charente this Friday. Starting from Barbezieux-Saint-Hilaire, it will pass through Chambon, Cognac, Confolens, and Ruffec before reaching Angoulême. Here, the flame will be welcomed at the Comic Strip Museum around 7:20 p.m. The next leg will be marked by notable torchbearers, including 400m specialist Sokhna Lacoste, Paralympian Philippe Croizon, and Brigitte Henriques, President of the National Olympic Committee.
- The Olympic torch relay covers a comprehensive route, traversing 500 locations over 65 days. This extensive journey is a blend of cultural celebrations and symbolic passages, offering local communities a chance to connect with the spirit of the Olympics.
- Each torchbearer brings their unique story and achievements to the relay. Philippe Croizon, renowned for swimming the English Channel despite his disabilities, exemplifies the perseverance and dedication celebrated in the Olympic ethos.
