In photos: The Olympic flame arrives in the French port of Marseille
Photography
The Olympic flame spent 12 days at sea and crossed the Mediterranean before arriving in the French port of Marseille on a three-mast ship. France is welcoming the torch on Wednesday with a day of pomp and ceremony to kick off the Paris 2024 Olympics season.
Sylvain Thomas/AFP/Getty Images
The Olympic flame on the Belem as it sails near the coast of Marseille.
Nicolas Tucat/AFP/Getty Images
Nicolas Tucat/AFP/Getty Images
Manon Cruz/Reuters
The flame was lit in Greece last month among the ruins of Olympia, the ancient site of the first recorded Games.
Manon Cruz/Reuters
Its Mediterranean odyssey ended in the south of France. Spectators flocked to the boardwalk to see the three-mast Belem, carrying the Olympic torch, parade around the Bay of Marseille accompanied by more than a thousand boats.
Manon Cruz/Reuters
Spectators gathered in Marseille on Wednesday for the arrival of the Olympic flame.
Manon Cruz/Reuters
Manon Cruz/Reuters
The torch arrived on land before sunset. The welcoming ceremony, attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, featured a concert and an air show by the Patrouille de France, the acrobatic unit of the French air force.
Manon Cruz/Reuters
The Olympic rings emblazoned on a container ship at sea.
Benoit Tessier/Reuters
Benoit Tessier/Reuters
Security has been at the top of the agenda for French authorities ahead of the torch’s arrival in Marseille, France’s second largest city. Thousands of police and security forces were stationed around the harbor — and on boats. Tens of thousands of people are expected for Wednesday’s festivities.
Benoit Tessier/Reuters
Benoit Tessier/Reuters
Some didn’t come to join the celebration. Protesters gathered in Marseille held anti-Olympics signs such as: “Olympic Games for the Rich.” French authorities have been eager to keep a range of grievances, including from labor unions, at bay to avoid disruptions to the Olympic and Paralymic Games in July and August.
Benoit Tessier/Reuters
A protester carries an anti-Olympics sign in Marseille on Wednesday.
Benoit Tessier/Reuters
Benoit Tessier/Reuters
Benoit Tessier/Reuters
Marseille Mayor Benoît Payan said he was proud of the city, where the torch relay begins.
Benoit Tessier/Reuters
Manon Cruz/Reuters
Then, torchbearers will carry the flame across mainland France and overseas French territories, including stops at the beaches of Normandy and the Palace of Versailles, before it reaches Paris for the Summer Olympics’ Opening Ceremonies on July 26.
Manon Cruz/Reuters
Manon Cruz/Reuters
Spectators watch the three-mast ship carrying the Olympic torch as it approaches Marseille.
Thibault Camus/AP
Thibault Camus/AP
Nicolas Garriga/AP
People await the arrival of the Belem ship, carrying the Olympic flame, in Marseille.
Thibault Camus/AP
Thibault Camus/AP
The French Air Force elite acrobatic flyover near Fort Saint-Jean.
Sylvain Thomas/AFP/Getty Images
Sylvain Thomas/AFP/Getty Images
Crowds watch as the Belem ship arrives.
Laurent Cipriani/AP
Laurent Cipriani/AP
Fireworks go off as the ship sails into Old Port.
Sylvain Thomas/AFP/Getty Images
Sylvain Thomas/AFP/Getty Images
Spectators gather to see the ship arrive in Marseille.
Thibault Camus/AP
Thibault Camus/AP
Fireworks burst at Old Port during the arrival ceremony.
Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images
Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images
The ship arrives in Old Port as fireworks go off.
Ludovic Marin/AFP/Getty Images
Ludovic Marin/AFP/Getty Images
Smoke, from the Patrouille de France aerobatics demonstration team, fills the air as the ship comes into port.
Thibault Camus/AP
Thibault Camus/AP
French swimmer Florent Manaudou holds the Olympic flame as the first torch bearer.
Ludovic Marin/Pool/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Ludovic Marin/Pool/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
French athlete Nantenin Keïta, center, holds the torch while flanked by to rapper Julien Mari, aka Jul, right, and Manaudou during the ceremony.
Nicolas Tucat/AFP/Getty Images
Nicolas Tucat/AFP/Getty Images
Mari lights the Olympic and Paralympic torch relays cauldron.
Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images
Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images
Mari gestures while holding the Olympic torch during the lighting ceremony in Marseille.
Nicolas Tucat/AFP/Getty Images
Nicolas Tucat/AFP/Getty Images
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Photo editing and production by Morgan Coates, Troy Witcher and Stephen Cook