After 11 days in Greece, the Olympic Flame will arrive in Marseille on May 8 and continue its journey to the French capital, for the 33rd Summer Olympic Games “Paris 2024”.
In an atmosphere of emotion, but also of pride Olympic flame departed today with the iconic French sailing ship “Belem”, from the port of Piraeus bound for Marseille, for the first time in history by sea.
The Flame was carried on the sailboat by the president of the organizing authority of the Olympic Games, Toni Estange.
The ceremony was attended by the Mayor of Piraeus Yiannis Moralis, the Ambassador of France to Greece Laurence Auer, the Minister of Sports of France Amelie Oudea-Castera, representatives from the city of Marseille, the President of the Olympic Torch Relay Committee Athanasios Vassiliadis, the President of the International Olympic Academy Isidoros Kouvelos, the Master of Ceremonies of the Olympic Flame Ceremony Yannis Papadimitriou, the well-known presenter Nikos Aliagas, the Parliamentary Representative of PASOK – KINAL Dimitris Manzos, the President of Alter Ego Media Fay Ypsilanti, the well-known endurance road champion Maria Polyzou, the old glory of the Greek basketball Richard Dakuri, players, etc.
From the Municipality of Piraeus, the Deputy Mayor Andriana Zarakelis, the Delegated Municipal Councilor Nikos Gemelos, the Deputy Mayor Dimitris Karydis, the Delegated Municipal Councilors Aleka Toumazatou and Yiannis Hatzialexis, the Municipal Councilors Elina Verykaki and Angelos Bouldumis, the President of the 5th Municipal Community Panagiota Voidon attended icola – Theiakoulis, the Director of Culture of the Municipality Evangelia Bafounis, the Councilors of the Mayor of Piraeus Yiannis Vlontakis and Vassilis Christou and a crowd of people.
The historic three-masted ship, which set sail from the Xaveri Coast, right below the Lion of Piraeus, was honorably escorted by the Navy trireme “Olympia” and sailing vessels, along the entire coastline of the city up to the Mikrolimano.
The Coast Guard band participated in the ceremony.
It should be noted that, on April 17, the Municipality of Piraeus welcomed the Olympic Flame, on the second day of its journey from ancient Olympia, where with honors, splendor and emotion, the welcome ceremony was held at the emblematic Municipal Theater.
After 11 days in Greece, the Olympic Flame will arrive in Marseille on May 8 and continue its journey to the French capital, for the 33rd Summer Olympic Games “Paris 2024”.
The Mayor of Piraeus, Yiannis Moralis, in his statement, emphasized:
“Piraeus, which had an extremely important role in the journey of the Olympic Flame to France, experienced unique, historic moments. We welcomed the Flame, on the second day of its journey to our city, with a unique torch relay and an impressive ceremony at the Municipal Theatre. Today we said goodbye to the Flame, which is being carried on the iconic French sailing ship “Belem” from the port of Piraeus to Marseille, with which we have been sister cities since 1984. It is unprecedented for the world community that the Flame is being transported by sea for the first time, with all eyes on Piraeus, a fact that makes us particularly happy, as the extroversion of our city is further strengthened. The Flame of the Olympic Games contains strong symbolism and I feel particularly proud that Piraeus participated in the biggest sporting event in the world”.
Source: Skai
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