PREVIEW

On Saturday 27 April the Olympic Flame took to the high seas on the sailing ship Belem as it travels from the port of Piraeus to Marseille, France.

In charge of the famous three-masted ship of the Fondation Caisse d’Epargne, was Aymeric Gibet, captain of the Belem since 2016. 15 young French Forerunners will join the Belem's professional crew to accompany the Olympic Flame from Piraeus to Marseille.
A 16th Forerunner, Anastasia Skida is representing Greece aboard the Belem. Aged 22, she is studying at the Faculty of French Literature in Athens and enjoys sailing in Greece.

Three Flame Angels will also be on board to look after the lanterns during the 12-day crossing. The lanterns ensure the integrity of the Olympic Flame, facilitating its journey to the cauldron and above all ensuring that it is never extinguished before the Closing Ceremony of the Games.

While waiting for the Flame to arrive in Marseille, the Aix-Marseille Metropolitan Authority organised a celebratory event featuring 800 drones accompanied by sound, light, and pyrotechnics.

Tony Estanguet, Président of Paris 2024: "Thank you to the Hellenic Olympic Committee and its President, Spyros Capralos, for this magnificent start to the Olympic Torch Relay in Greece! During these eleven days across the country, we've already been able to see some very powerful images, and all the attachment the Greeks have for the Flame. And now, what a proud and emotional moment it is to officially receive the Olympic Flame at the Handover Ceremony!”

The flame will arrive in Marseille on 8 May, and is due to formally light the Olympic cauldron on 26 July.

Estanguet added: “After a hundred years of waiting, in twelve days' time the Flame will be back in France via the port of Marseille. A huge thank you to Florent Manaudou, one of the most emblematic Olympians of his generation and Captain of the Relay, for accompanying us on this new adventure. We can't wait!”