Torch Relay Stage 68: History, emotion and Snoop Dogg

US rapper, artist and designer Pharell Williams stands on the top of the Saint-Denis Cathedral Basilica holding the Olympic Torch during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games Torch Relay, GETTY IMAGES

The Olympic flame’s journey culminated in an ambitious and emotional trek over three months through more than 450 cities in 65 regions, including five foreign territories. Covering 17,000 kilometers, the journey concluded at the opening ceremony, marking the official start of Paris 2024.

This last date has been a meeting with history, crossing the Olympic Villa and after traveling through the water through the canals of a reformed Saint-Denis and Saint-Martin, to include a solemn musical performances of Pharrel Williams in the Basilica of Saint- Denis before the Opening Ceremony.

The passage through the Olympic Villa allowed the reunion with authentic medal-winning legends such as the Italian amateur Federica Pellegrini, the Spanish basketball player Pau Gasol. The iconic Moroccan athlete Hicham El Guerrouj and the badminton feeling Lin Dan were among many others. There was also room for recognition for those who have contributed to the construction of the Olympics, such as the builders of the Olympic Stadium, as well as the architects.

The big star has been the icon of American rap Snoop Dogg, while the French delegation included artist MC Solaar, actor Jean-Pascal Zadi, chef Pierre Sang, comedian Booder and orchestra director Zahia Ziouani.

The torch also passed through the hands of figures from the Olympic organisation, such as the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC); Thomas Bach, the former UN Secretary-General and current chairman of the IOC Ethics Commission, Ban Ki-moon; the director of the World Health Organization, Tedros Ghebreyesus; the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, and the chairperson of IOC athlete committee, Emma Terho.

All combined with less famous but important figures, such as Latifa Benkada, an active member of a charity that promotes women’s sport in Seine-Saint-Denis, and Emma Lamont, a dedicated Red Cross volunteer, sponsored by Coca-Cola, Banque Populaire and Caisse d’Epargne, along with local and state authorities.

In the basilica, journalist Mohamed Bouhafsi lit the lighthouse from the balcony in front of the Basilica before handing it over to the iconic French model and actress Laetitia Casta, and composer Pharrell Williams.

This last day was titled “Epilogue” and is the end of that journey through history (14-15 July crossed the landmarks of the French Revolution just on the anniversary dates).

Already in the stadium, Snoop Dogg, wearing a golden jacket before switching to the white relief chandelier, rehearsed his French. 

“Vive les Jeux Olympiques,” said the rapper, the special correspondent at the Games for the American NBC channel, unleashing the public’s fury: “Imagine that you go crazy, take the flame and light the porn with it!” said one viewer, Toufik.

Yiech Pur Biel, who ran the 800 metres for the Olympic Refugee Team in Rio in 2016 and is a member of the IOC committee representing South Sudan, felt the experience moved by becoming the voice of many refugees around the world.



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