2024 Summer Olympics torch relay facts for kids
| Host city | Paris, France |
|---|---|
| Countries visited | Greece, Italy, France |
| Start date | 16 April 2024 |
| End date | 26 July 2024 |
The 2024 Summer Olympic torch relay is a special journey that carries the Olympic flame to the host city of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. This exciting relay started on April 16, 2024, and will finish on July 26, 2024. The flame begins its journey in Olympia, Greece, where the ancient Olympic Games were held. After traveling through Greece, it sails across the Mediterranean Sea on a historic ship called the Belem to Marseille, France. From there, the torch will travel all over France, ending its journey when the Olympic cauldron is lit during the Opening Ceremony in Paris. The cauldron is expected to be at the Jardins du Trocadéro stadium.
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The Journey Begins in Greece
The Olympic flame was lit in Olympia, Greece, on April 16. It then traveled across Greece, visiting different places, until it reached Athens on April 26. This part of the relay connects the modern Games to their ancient roots.
Traveling Through France
After its journey across the sea, the Olympic flame arrived in Marseille, France, on May 9. The French part of the relay is very special. Each day, the torch travels through a different area, visiting many towns and famous landmarks. These landmarks can be historical sites or beautiful natural spots.
Sometimes, a "team relay" happens. This is when 24 people, led by a captain, carry the flame together. These participants represent different French sports federations. Each day's journey ends in a "stage town," where a small Olympic cauldron is lit, and celebrations take place.
First Part of the French Journey
The torch started its French adventure in the south. It traveled through regions like Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, visiting cities such as Marseille, Toulon, and Manosque. It then moved west, going through Occitanie, where it visited places like Montpellier, Perpignan, and Toulouse. The flame also went to Corsica, a beautiful island, before heading back to mainland France.
The relay continued through Nouvelle-Aquitaine, passing through cities like Pau, Bordeaux, and Angoulême. It then moved north into the Pays de la Loire region, visiting Angers and Laval. The torch also journeyed through Normandy, where it visited historic sites like Caen and the famous Mont-Saint-Michel. The first part of the journey ended after visiting Brittany and other western regions.
Across the Seas: Overseas France
The Olympic flame then took a special trip to France's overseas territories! This shows how the Olympic spirit connects people all over the world. The torch visited:
- French Guiana in South America, stopping in Cayenne.
- New Caledonia in the Pacific Ocean, visiting Noumea.
- Réunion in the Indian Ocean, stopping in Saint-Denis.
- French Polynesia in the Pacific, visiting Papeete and the famous surfing spot Teahupo'o.
- Guadeloupe in the Caribbean, visiting Baie-Mahault.
- Martinique also in the Caribbean, stopping in Fort-de-France.
Second Part of the French Journey
After its overseas adventure, the torch returned to mainland France. It continued its journey through more beautiful regions, including:
- Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, visiting cities like Nice and Avignon.
- Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, passing through Valence and Saint-Étienne.
- The torch also visited the stunning Chamonix-Mont-Blanc in the Haute-Savoie mountains.
- It then moved east to Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, visiting Besançon and Dijon.
- The relay continued through Grand Est, stopping in Strasbourg, Metz, and Reims.
- Finally, it traveled through the northern regions of Hauts-de-France, visiting Lille, Lens-Liévin, and Amiens. It also went through Normandy again, visiting Le Havre and Vernon.
- The torch then headed towards the central regions, including Centre-Val de Loire, visiting Chartres, Blois, and Orléans.
- It continued through Bourgogne-Franche-Comté again, visiting Auxerre and Dijon.
- The last major stop before Paris in this section was Troyes in the Aube department.
The Paris Leg: A Grand Finale
The final part of the torch relay is in Paris itself, the host city of the 2024 Summer Olympics. The torch will spend two days, July 14 and 15, traveling through many famous and important places in Paris.
On July 14, the torch will visit iconic spots like the Champs-Élysées, Notre-Dame de Paris, the Louvre Museum, and the City Hall. It will also pass through historic neighborhoods like the Latin Quarter and Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
On July 15, the torch will continue its journey through Paris, visiting places like the Bois de Vincennes, Montmartre, and the Arc de Triomphe. It will also pass by the Eiffel Tower and the Stade Roland-Garros, a famous tennis stadium. This grand tour of Paris will build excitement for the Opening Ceremony.
Final Approach to Paris
Before reaching the heart of Paris, the torch will travel through the surrounding areas, known as the Île-de-France region. This includes:
- Aisne and Oise departments, visiting cities like Saint-Quentin and Beauvais.
- Val-d'Oise, Seine-et-Marne, Val-de-Marne, Essonne, Yvelines, Hauts-de-Seine, and Seine-Saint-Denis.
- The torch will visit important places like the Palace of Fontainebleau and the Palace of Versailles. It will also pass through areas that will host Olympic events, like Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines. The relay will finish its journey in Seine-Saint-Denis on July 25, just before the Opening Ceremony.
The 2024 Summer Olympic torch relay is a long and exciting journey, bringing the spirit of the Games to many parts of France and its overseas territories before lighting the cauldron in Paris!
