“A historic event, unique in the history of the city,” said Michaël Aloïsio, Deputy Director General of the Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (COJO). “This summer there will be 800 Olympic occasions, but only one arrival of the fire. “
Indeed, the organisers have a great idea for this first focus of the 2024 Olympic Games. The star of the exhibition is the Belem, the last of the emblematic sailboats of French industry still in operation. He will carry the Olympic torch, lit to Mount Olympus in Greece, on the other side of the Mediterranean. It will then land with wonderful pomp in the Old Port of Marseille, on May 8, 2024.
Upon its arrival, at nine o’clock in the morning, at the port of Marseille, a gigantic maritime parade of “1024 ships” will escort the majestic three-masted ship. It will parade along the north and south coast of the city. Escort are open to shipowners, wherever they come from, from Monday 25 March, on the committed website.
In addition to this parade, the management of Belem will highlight the classic or modern water, sports or cultural activities that are experienced in the area. Thus, the Olympic flame will arrive around nine o’clock in the morning on the north coast. You will pass in front of a first Provençal jousting workshop near Corbières. Its descent in front of the Estaque will shed light on the sailors of the Escuela de Vela del Norte and then on the classic rowers.
Around noon, the three-masted boats will begin the second phase of their parade, along the south coast. On the Catalan side, the torch will pass through a swarm of classic Marseille boats and then rowers from rowing clubs. Roars, canoes and kayaks will freely accompany you along the Corniche to the Olympic marina of Roucas-Blanc. Olympic sailing athletes will do a little more demonstration on the high seas.
After meeting the young sailors of the South Sailing Schools, on the Pointe-Rouge side, the Belem will go back up to park in front of the Château d’If. All boats will then be required to leave the area. At 7:00 p. m. , the historic ship will enter the Old Port towards the Olympic flame. The festivities can then begin on land.
The event will be governed by strict maritime security rules, as the Maritime Prefect of the Mediterranean, Gilles Boidevezi, recalls: “The aim is festive, but there will be other people in the water, which represents the danger of maritime accidents. “
All maritime and air security forces will patrol the port of Marseille. The domain will be closed to all boats other than those registered for the parade and the city’s ports will be closed during the day.
The length of the boats will be limited to 41 meters for sailboats and 24 meters for motor boats, which will not have to exceed 250 horsepower. The website of the Maritime Prefecture of the Mediterranean specifies all the restrictions of the day.