Paris 2024 Olympic Flame Tour and Security Concerns
The Paris 2024 Olympic flame's journey continues, making significant stops across France. On Sunday, June 2, the torch will traverse through the Deux-Sèvres, reaching the Vendée and Les Sables-d'Olonne on Tuesday, June 4. A total of 100 torchbearers will participate in this historic relay.
The day in Vendée will commence at 8 a.m., when the flame starts its journey via the Passage du Gois. By 8:35 a.m., the flame will be at Fontaine-le-Comte, passing the municipal stadium and reaching Place du Marché aux Herbes by 9:25 a.m. The torch will then make its way to Montaigu, passing notable landmarks like the Jules-Ferry college and the Maxime-Bossis sports center, which hosts the Montaigu World Cup annually.
Following this, the Olympic flame will be welcomed at Puy-du-Fou from 12:30 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. The route covers attractions such as the Musketeer du Richelieu and the Vikings. By mid-afternoon, La Roche-sur-Yon will host the flame, starting from the Atlantique complex, with the final destination being Place Napoléon. Events continue throughout the day until the flame reaches Les Sables-d'Olonne, where the closing ceremony will involve lighting the cauldron at Place du Vendée Globe.
However, security concerns surround the passage of the Olympic flame in the Loire-Atlantique region. Scheduled between June 1 to 6, local authorities have intensified measures for the safety of the flame. The Loire-Atlantique prefecture plans to restrict the movements of several patients at the Nantes University Hospital, particularly those deemed potentially dangerous for public order (SDRE patients). Their absence from care will be more stringently regulated during this period.
The increased vigilance has raised eyebrows and concerns among healthcare professionals. Critics argue that such measures stigmatize mentally ill patients, labeling them as potential threats. Jérémy Beurel of the Force Ouvrière union and Pascal Mariotti of the Association of Public Mental Health Service Establishments condemned these actions, calling them repressive and an abuse of power. They stressed that the hospital's role is to provide treatment and not enforce public order.
- The Vendée Olympic Torch relay features key local events and landmarks, such as the Michel-Desjoyeaux stadium and heritage ships at Quai René Guinée. Festivities in Les Sables-d'Olonne are planned from early afternoon until the evening, ensuring wide public engagement.
- The safety plan in Loire-Atlantique, initiated by prefect Fabrice Rigoulet-Roze, has drawn significant debate. The directive mandates that any movement of SDRE patients be subject to prefectural approval. Healthcare professionals and unions have expressed concerns to rights defenders and safety committees, seeking to balance security with mental health care maintenance.
