La Flamme – The Flame – Colorful Vignettes

Trying to get to Vieux Port for the arrival of the Olympic Flame on May 8, 2024

Limited view of Vieux Port from nearby park

Carrying the Olympic Flame, the grandiose sailboat Belem slowly glides into Vieux Port and nears the landing. Fireworks explode. Five aircraft create the five circles of the Olympic symbol in the air – blue-yellow-black-green-red. The audience is ecstatic. Swimmer and 4 x Golden Olympic medal winner Florent Manaudou holding the torch descents from the boat. The Olympic flame has arrived in France, in Marseille.

Also the fire brigade is part of the picture

As seen on TV as I was not able to attend because of the huge crowd. The next day, May 9, the Flame is successively carried around in the city by different athletes and would arrive in my avenue in late afternoon. With people in my neighborhood I wait along the road but after an hour the event is relocated to the nearby Stadium. We go there, everyone remains in high spirits, the Flame is already part of our hearts.

Public at the Stadium waiting for the Olympic Torch to arrive

Keeping to his own world while his father waits for the Flame

Suddenly, people are relieved and excited. Hands holding smartphones are raised high. One of the best European professional football players and winner of the Ballon d’Or in 1991, Jean-Pierre Papin majestically runs up the staircase of the Velodrome Stadium carrying the Olympic Flame. I lift up my camera as high as possible and start taking photos without really seeing – thinking may good images come with a streak of luck.

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