Laure Manaudou, first French torchbearer at Olympia
The very first French torchbearer on Greek soil is now revealed. Paris 2024 has chosen three-time Olympic medallist in swimming and Captain of the Olympic Torch Relay, Laure Manaudou. Manaudou will receive the lit Paris 2024 Olympic Torch from the hands of the very first torchbearer, Stefanos Douskos, who is an Olympic rowing champion who won gold for Greece at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.
Laure Manaudou chosen to make history again in Greece
Choosing Laure Manaudou as the first torchbearer was an obvious choice for Paris 2024. As well as being an athlete close to the hearts of the French people, Manaudou is one of the four captains of the Torch Relay, alongside her brother Florent Manaudou, as well as Mona Francis, and Dimitri Pavadé.
Laure Manaudou revealed herself to the world at just 17 years of age by winning three medals, including Olympic gold (400m freestyle) in Greece at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. 20 years on, Laure continues illustrates the links between France, Greece and the Games. Many will remember the images of her finals and the emotions she generated. The young French athlete at the time went on to cement her place amongst France’s sporting legends.
100 days before the Paris 2024 Games, the Olympic flame will be lit tomorrow morning at the traditional ceremony organised by the Hellenic Olympic Committee. The flame will be brought to life in the purest ancient tradition through the use of a parabolic dish (known to the ancient Greeks as a Skaphia) to concentrate the sun’s rays and ignite the torch in front of the Temple of Hera, on the archaeological site of Olympia.
Press contact :
medias.relaisdelaflamme@paris2024.org
