Two collective relays rich in symbols and fraternity
With Europe as its theme, the day featured symbols and references to history, particularly in Huningue where a collective relay was dedicated to Franco-German friendship. The Passerelle des Trois Pays (three countries bridge), inaugurated in 2007, was the ideal place to celebrate the special links between these two countries, with the French State combining with the European Community of Alsace to organise the relay. It was made up of 24 mostly French and German young people, who were put forward by their senior high schools. Just before them, it was German Aline Rotter-Focken, an Olympic champion in wrestling, who passed the Olympic Torch to Frenchman Éric Kueny, the Land of the Games representative in Huningue.
Another collective relay took place in Strasbourg, dedicated, as each day, to a specific sport and on Wednesday judo enjoyed pride of place. The capital of Alsace is fertile land for this discipline, because a European tournament, European cups and training camps are often organised in the city. Among the 24 members of the French Federation of Judo who made their way up the Ruelle des Maroquins to Place de la Cathédrale were emerging hopes Ninon Lassal, the relay captain, and Léonie Girardey, who trains at the judo academy in Strasbourg, as well as the day’s youngest torchbearer Arthur Mehl, a 13-year-old green belt, but also Julie Fritz, runner-up in the French adapted sports championships, and Claude Paffenhoff, who is renowned for his longevity and exemplarity in the discipline.
Stars and inspiring members of the general public carry the Olympic Torch
160 torchbearers took it in turns to carry the Olympic Torch throughout the day. As on each stage, elite athletes who are making or have made history in French sport were present. The crowds in Alsace had the opportunity to cheer on Thierry Omeyer, the emblematic goalkeeper of the French handball team who won gold medals at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 and in London in 2012, plus a silver medal in Rio in 2016. Amateur world champion in XTerra Triathlon (para-triathlon), Guillaume Jeannin was the first person of the day to carry the Olympic Torch, followed shortly after by Chloé Mislin, a para-sports horse rider, Marie-France Pieri, a specialist in 100-km races, Inène Podpovitny, a finalist in rowing at the Beijing Olympic Games, Yvette Palatino, a boxing champion who has contributed to gender diversity in the discipline, and Raphaël Votz, a four times medallist in para-shooting.
At the end of the day, one of the most well-known players in the world of sport from Strasbourg lit the celebration cauldron: Arsène Wenger. After a career as an outstanding defender with the city’s club from 1963 to 1981, he then went on to have a successful coaching career, particularly with Arsenal. He was one of the few coaches to have enjoyed a league season without defeat (in 2004) with the team including Thierry Henry, coach of the French Olympic team, and Patrick Vieira, the current coach of Strasbourg’s football team.
Arsène Wenger was not the only famous celebrity to have taken part in the celebrations this Wednesday. Singer M. Pokora was also present. He has recently become a shareholder of SIG, Strasbourg’s basketball club and is currently carrying out a major tour to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the start of his career. Additionally, influencer Crazy Sally, who boasts more than 1.2 million followers on the social networks, also carried the Olympic Torch.
As on each day, the Olympic Torch was also carried by torchbearers from the general public who all have inspiring life stories and paths. Such is the case for Constance Schaerer: for her charity, which supports children who have a parent with cancer, she has set herself the mission of climbing seven of the world’s highest peaks. She has already managed to climb three (Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua and Mont Blanc). Among the other torchbearers present were Yves Wansi, who works to promote accessibility for the visually impaired, Valérie Ruetsch, headmistress at a nursery school who uses the Olympic Games as a central theme for her teaching activities, and Nicolas Linder, a disabled globetrotter who has toured all around France on a tandem.
Tomorrow, the Olympic Torch Relay will hit the road again and make its way through the Moselle. From Meisenthal to Metz, it will once again showcase nature, heritage and all those who contribute to the area’s vitality.