The sailing ship “Belem” with the Olympic flame on board set off for the port of Marseille along with an escort of 1000 ships.
The president of the organization coordinating the Olympic Games, Tony Estanguet, a former Olympic champion in Athens in canoeing, held in his hands a lantern with fire, which for the first time in history will be transported by sea to France on a beautiful sailing ship, a symbol of the country's maritime history.
After completing its Olympic mission in Marseille, Belen will arrive at five French ports in the Mediterranean and Atlantic. The Olympic torch relay will last 68 days and end in Paris at the opening ceremony on July 26.
Around 10,000 torchbearers will carry the flame along the route, stopping at iconic locations such as the Lascaux caves, Mont Saint-Michel and the castles of the Loire. In addition, the Verdun Memorial and other significant places will be consecrated with fire.
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