Torch Relay Stage 63: A great experience in the Val-de-Marne

Torch Relay Stage 63: A great experience in the Val-de-Marne. PARIS 2024

This particularly exciting week for the Olympic Torch Relay came to am end in the Val-de-Marne. In this region, which combines urban areas and natural sites, it was taken from Orly airport to Créteil, via Vincennes and Vitry-sur-Seine.

The Torch continued south-east from Paris to Val-de-Marne, a region with 37 municipalities bordered by a waterway that offers a balanced environment, between urbanised areas and natural spaces. The day began at Orly, France’s second largest airport and a gateway for foreign delegations and fans from around the world, with millions expected to visit Paris 2024. It then travelled to Ormesson-sur-Marne to visit the listed 16th century Château d’Ormesson. It then moved on to Champigny station, a strategic point on the Grand Paris Express network.

It then lit up the Marché International de Rungis, the largest fresh produce market in the world, which covers over 234 hectares and brings together 1,400 companies supplying professionals from all over France and Europe. The next part of the day took place in Vincennes where the Olympic Torch Relay illuminated the castle, Notre Dame church and the Pavillon Baltard concert hall. 

The route took in the Domaine de Grosbois estate with its 412 hectares of woods and lakes. In Villejuif, it passed the Institut Gustave Roussy, Europe’s leading cancer treatment centre, before heading to Vitry-sur-Seine, where it passed the MAC VAL, the first modern art museum built in the Paris suburbs. The final ceremony took place at the Parc des Sports Dominique Duvauchelle in Créteil. The Torch passed before the lake and the Maison des Arts et Culture before visiting the Maison du Handball, a leading centre for the sport. 

The first Team Relay took place between two emblematic rowing towns. The French Rowing Federation organised it between its headquarters in Nogent-sur-Marne and the century-old AMJ in Joinville-le-Pont. Jean-Christophe Rolland, President of the International Rowing Federation, twice World Champion (1993 and 1997) and once Olympic Champion (2000), was the captain of the relay. He was accompanied by many rowing enthusiasts. 

The Olympic Torch Relay has arrived in the week of the Opening Ceremony. PARIS 2024
The Olympic Torch Relay has arrived in the week of the Opening Ceremony. PARIS 2024

Olympic champions Michel Andrieux (Sydney 2000), Adrien Hardy (Athens 2004) and Jérémie Azou (Rio 2016) were all present to take part in the Relay, as were other medal winners such as Christine Gossé (bronze in Atlanta 1996) and Antoine Jesel (bronze in 2020). Paralympians Gylaine Marchand, who was world champion last year and a finalist in Rio, and Stéphane Tardieu (silver medallist in London 2012 and bronze in Rio) were also present. 

The youngest national referee Émile Abraham, French champion Camille Leclerc, granddaughter of rowing legend Lucie Mercier, specialist Pauline Rossignol Tollard, whose family is all involved in the discipline, and young Capucine Jeanjean also joined the relay. 

The French Handball Federation (FFH) organised a second Team Relay, this time in Créteil, a fitting location as the Maison du Handball, the centre of excellence which plays host for the French national team, was inaugurated here in 2019. The FFH wanted this collective relay to highlight all those involved in making handball a dynamic discipline throughout France. 

It was captained by Mathieu de Cillia, a member of the French wheelchair handball team and president of the Handisport Antibes Méditerranée parasports association. He was joined by Arken Boutouria, who plays adapted handball with his younger autistic brother; Rougui Sow, a master’s student and a handball enthusiast; Vincent Valet, a volunteer for more than 30 years; and Théo Breant, a coach, referee and instructor. 

The famous French handball player Nedim Remili lit the celebration cauldron in Créteil. PARIS 2024
The famous French handball player Nedim Remili lit the celebration cauldron in Créteil. PARIS 2024

More than 200 Torchbearers carried the Torch, with athletes such as Jason Lamy-Chappuis, Vancouver 2010 Nordic combined Olympic champion and five-time world champion, was the first at Orly, followed by boxer Estelle Mossely, Olympic champion in Rio, karate athlete Aurore Bourçois, judoka Coralie Haymé, former French figure skating champion Anne-Sophie de Kristoffy, Clara Mallien (taekwondo), Ugo Fleurot and Léo Bories (modern pentathlon) and the President of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee, Denis Masseglia. 

Handball was in the spotlight as two of the sport’s most iconic figures carried the Olympic Torch. In Villejuif, it was the turn of Didier Dinart, two-time Olympic champion (2008 and 2012) and three-time world champion (2001, 2009 and 2011). The last torchbearer was Nedim Remili. The current Olympic (2020), World (2017) and European (2024) champion, who plays for Hungary’s Veszprém, was born in Creteil and was more than happy. 

The Val-de-Marne cheered on chef Guillaume Gomez, who cooked for the French presidents from 1997 to 2021; singer-songwriter Gauvain Sers; singer-musician Hervé; Para-dancer Alexandre Arlé; Catherine Augoyard (Para-sport); René Caillet, a passionate sports trainer, coach and teacher at the age of 78; Audrey Difernaud, who provides personalised support to future champions; and Barthélémy Fendt, a podcaster with inspiring sporting stories.



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