Paris 2024 Olympic Games: “Florent Manaudou, the most beautiful symbol”, assures Tony Estanguet

That was one of the questions that kept going around. Who would carry the flame when it arrives in Marseille on May 8? The name Zinédine Zidane came up often. Tony Estanguet announced it in his speech in Athens, it will be Florent Manaudou. “It is very important for us to honor Florent Manaudou, he is one of the greatest active French champions. Very attached to Marseille. We tried to find the most beautiful symbol with a very legitimate athlete, ultra-committed to the project. Since the application phase, he has been captain of this torch relay. It is he who will launch this moment on our territory, in France. In Marseille where he will be the first torchbearer. Zidane? Florent quickly established himself. The Olympic Games are athletes who write this magical story. Florent was one of the rare champions to medal in three Olympics in one of the key disciplines of the Games. It is important to honor these Olympian athletes who are best placed to transmit their passion to the French public,” summarized the president of Paris 2024.

Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, the Minister of Sports and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, added: “The arrival in Marseille promises to be triumphant. The choice of Florent Manaudou is a good choice. He embodies French sport, Olympism. He is a complete athlete. A magnificent athlete. And he's someone who gets things done, he doesn't hold his tongue in his pocket. He makes progress, moves the lines. He wants, more than ever, for sport to be at the heart of French society. It's very consistent. Every step is going to be great. With its share of surprises..."