Olympic torch illuminates the nature, heritage and art of living in Aube

A memorable day unfolded as the Olympic torch traversed the Aube department, showcasing its historical, cultural and natural splendour. Starting from the alluring village of Évry-le-Châtel, it lit up the Porte Saint-Nicolas, the last medieval gate still standing in the department. It moved on to Nogent-sur-Seine, where the runners marvelled at the magnificent stained-glass windows of the Gothic Saint Lawrence’s Church. The relay passed by Roger Couderc Stadium, the combat hall, Town Hall, the theatre and the Camille Claudel Museum, which honours the renowned sculptor who once called this town home.

In Ville-sous-la-Ferté, the torchbearers discovered Clairvaux Abbey, a gem of Cistercian architecture founded in 1115 that served as a monastery for seven centuries before its conversion into a prison. Sport took centre stage as the Olympic torch blazed through Romilly-sur-Seine. The relay entered the town at Les 3 Vagues pool, ran along Rue Paul Vaillant-Couturier and Rue Magenta and headed to Bardin Gousserey Stadium. This venue, a designated Games Preparation Centre, recently welcomed an Indian track and field team building up to the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The Olympic torch got a shot of adrenaline at Nigloland, an amusement park in Dolancourt that draws close to 700,000 visitors every year. It saluted Niglo, the mascot of the park, before heading to Mesnil-Saint-Père. The runners breathed in the fresh air along the shores of the 23-hectare Lac d’Orient, a great place to go for a swim and engage in water sports or birdwatching.

Once in Troyes, the torchbearers made a stop at Rosières-près-Troyes to gaze in awe at the magnificent International Multisports and Climbing Complex (CIME), a venue of more than 6,000 m² that has hosted numerous international athletes for training. The torch then made its way to the heart of the capital of Aube. It zipped past the theatre and the Canal du Trévois to the celebration venue set up at CUBE, a convention centre with room for almost 6,000 visitors.

Breakdancers defy gravity in Troyes

Troyes, a hub for the performing arts, made the Olympic torch move to the frenzied beat of the French Dance Federation (FFD), which organised the team relay on the forecourt of City Hall, featuring activities focused on breakdancing and other disciplines to celebrate that breakdancing will be part of the Olympic programme for the first time in Paris 2024. Place de la Concorde will host the inaugural Olympic competition for the discipline on 9 and 10 August. Other forms from the wide-ranging dance community were also celebrated in Aube, where art and sport merged into a harmonious whole on Saturday.

Arthur Badié, a hip-hop movement trailblazer, proudly captained the team relay. A pre-eminent figure in cultural life in Troyes, “Tonton” —as he is known— co-founded the Zoulou Dance festival to best the drum for dance and urban arts within and without the borders of the region. He is also a vital member of the charity Jeunesse Pour Demain, which works on youth education and development through various activities and initiatives. His commitments resonate with the Olympic spirit, reflecting values of sharing, friendship, respect and inclusivity.

23 enthusiasts joined Badié to make the team relay a resounding success. The talented dancer Zine Benkassa and the acclaimed choreographer Sami Guizani lit up the city. The international breakdancers Audrey Gallochat and Nicolas Yorn from the Guetapens company, known for their appearance on the talent show La France a un incroyable talent in 2011, also joined the festivities. Delphine Cramotte, who overcame her shyness through dance, represented the benefits of sport. Also there was Pieth Cédric Nzonzi, a volunteer who leverages dance to forge social bonds and foster integration. Nzonzi conducts introductory sessions in disadvantaged neighbourhoods, youth protection shelters and therapeutic institutes.

Regional champions take the Olympic torch to the cauldron  

Celebrities and local figures accompanied the Olympic torch on its journey through Aube, carried by over 110 torchbearers. The exemplary altruism of Nadège Smouts was honoured in Romilly-sur-Seine. Starting as a volunteer firefighter at 16 and becoming a professional firefighter, she is dedicated to teaching children first aid. The relay also featured Bernard Champenois, a para-cyclist renowned for his courage and sporting prowess. The man from Troyes became the world road race champion in 1998 and clinched gold at the Sydney 2000 Paralympics.

Guardians of integrity and fairness, referees were also honoured for their contributions. Benoît Renault, a footy fanatic, officiated as a regional and national referee for 14 years before turning his attention to underwater hockey, a sport he enjoys and is becoming increasingly well known. In Dolancourt, the torch passed through the hands of Geoffrey Locquard, who officiates basketball games. Involved at various levels as a referee and a dedicated coach at ESPE Basket, he does his bit to promote the sport.

Transitioning from the courts to the field, the torch was handed over to the footballer Gaëtane Thiney. Among other successes, the Paris FC player has made waves with the French national team, scoring 58 goals. Thiney is actively involved in promoting women’s football and serves as a patron for Team Léo “Du souffle pour Léonie et ses amis”, a charity dedicated to fighting cystic fibrosis. Joining her was Isabelle Blin, founder of the charity Les Ateliers des Petites Herbes. Blin, a nurse, helps vulnerable individuals rebuild their lives, using sports as a tool.

The popular Monsieur Poulpe, a well-known television presenter, comedian, singer and actor, took part as a torchbearer. The torch finally reached CUBE to be handed over to the great fencer Claude Gamot. Gamot, who competed in Melbourne 1956 (fourth in the team event) and Rome 1960, has been instrumental in the development of fencing, especially among youth and within the national federation. The former sabre specialist capped off the Aube relay with a flourish next to the cauldron.

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An extraordinary day calls for extraordinary measures. On 14 July, the Olympic torch will make its inaugural entrance into Paris to celebrate France’s national holiday. It will travel down the Champs-Élysées and continue to the Grand Palais and the Petit Palais. The torch will visit the verdant Luxembourg Gardens, L’Olympia and Place Vendôme. Culture will take centre stage with stops at the Louvre, the world’s most visited museum, and the Centre Pompidou. The celebration venue will be in Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, featuring performances by the Orchestre National de France, the Maîtrise, and the Radio France Choir, alongside a variety of sports activities. A giant screen, a host and a DJ will fire up the public and create a festive atmosphere for the Torch Relay. The cauldron will be lit in the evening and a spectacular fireworks display will be launched from the Eiffel Tower.

Photo credit: Paris 2024 / Guillaume Ruchaud / SIPA PRESS

PROGRAMME FOR SUNDAY, 14 JULY
View the full stage programme at https://olympics.com/fr/paris-2024/relais-de-la-flamme-olympique/etapes/paris-paris.

Celebration venue programme:
Open to the public from 3:30 to 7:45 pm
Free admission, limited capacity
3:30 pm: opening to the public
4–5:30 pm: local authorities’ activities on the sports esplanade
5:45–6:50 pm: partners’ activities on the sports esplanade
11:15: finish of the last runner and lighting of the Olympic cauldron
 

Get all the photo and video content of the day from the Paris 2024 Content Library.

Photo credits are included in the photo metadata.
Footage package credit: France Télévisions — Paris 2024 / Credit: IOC

Press contact: medias.relaisdelaflamme@paris2024.org