Arrival of the Olympic Flame in Paris
Paris — The Olympic flame will make the final leg of its long journey on Friday to the Paris Olympics opening ceremony on the Seine River in the heart of the City of Light. A star-studded cast of torch bearers has been drafted to usher the torch, including rapper Snoop Dogg.
Snoop Dogg’s Role in the Ceremony
The 52-year-old American pop culture icon will carry the Olympic flame through the suburb of Saint-Denis, north of Paris, which is home to the Stade de France Olympic stadium and the Olympic Village. While he may be best known for his music, Snoop is no stranger to the world of sports. He founded the Snoop Youth Football League almost 20 years ago to help give inner-city children an opportunity to play the game. Additionally, NBC announced in December that Snoop Dogg will provide “regular reports” during NBC Universal’s coverage, giving “his unique take on what’s happening in Paris.”
Torch Relay Highlights
This year’s torch relay started with a rap star as well. One of Marseille’s most famous sons, singer Jul, was chosen to light the Olympic cauldron on May 8, when the flame first arrived in France. Since then, the torch relay has passed through nearly 500 cities and towns and several famous landmarks on its way to Paris for the July 26 opening ceremony.
Celebrity Torch-Bearers
Several French celebrities have been tapped as torch-bearers for the final day, including rap star MC Solaar and actress Laetitia Casta. Friday’s final stage of the torch relay begins in the streets of Saint-Denis. It will pass near the town’s basilica, where many of France’s kings are buried. The flame will make a stop in the Olympic Village, allowing athletes and staff to admire it. It will be the only chance for some athletes to take part in the opening day festivities. Most of those participating in sports events the next day have said they’ll spend Friday training or resting and then getting to bed early.
Early Competitions
Some men’s soccer and rugby teams will already be in competition, as their games start before Friday’s official opening. The two sports start early due to the number of nations involved, requiring more rounds and factoring in required rest periods. They take longer to complete.
Journey Through Saint-Denis and Paris
The torch relay will continue along the canal that links Saint-Denis with Paris. It will pass by the Stade de France and the new Olympic Aquatic Center in Saint-Denis — the only Olympic venue built from scratch for the Games. The center will be used for diving, water polo, and synchronized swimming events. Architects Cécilia Gross and Laure Mériaud told CBS News they had to be inventive in designing the bottom of the pool and drawing the lanes to accommodate the different activities while making it look like an ordinary swimming pool from above.
Sustainability Efforts
Faithful to the Paris Games’ promise of sustainability, the aquatic center will be repurposed after the Olympics and used as a local pool in the disadvantaged suburb with a high youth population. The flame will continue to central Paris and join a flotilla on the Seine for the opening ceremony on the river.
Final Torch-Bearer and Performances
Organizers have not yet revealed the name of the final torch-bearer who will light the Olympic cauldron to signal the formal opening of the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad. Superstar Céline Dion is expected to sing at the ceremony, along with Franco-Malian singer Aya Nakamura, whose name was reportedly put forward by President Emmanuel Macron. Social media was abuzz with rumors that Lady Gaga was spotted in Paris on Tuesday, leading to speculation that she might also be part of the opening night lineup.
References:
CBS News – https://www.cbsnews.com/news/snoop-dogg-olympic-flame-paris-2024-summer-olympics-opening-ceremony/
The Guardian – https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/jul/23/snoop-dogg-to-carry-olympic-torch-on-final-stages-through-paris
