After being contacted by the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee, Vincent, Rose, Morgane and Astrid naturally replied with a proud and enthusiastic yes to this wonderful invitation to carry the flame.

The adventure began on May 20 in Pau for Vincent, a Paracanoe athlete contacted by the French Canoe-Kayak Federation: “It was a wonderful surprise! I was floating on air. I’m really proud of having taken part in the flame’s journey from Athens to Paris.”

Next came Rose: “I carried the flame on May 23 to the centre of Bordeaux, as part of a relay by my rugby team.” For this young woman who has collected rugby sevens titles at national, European, Olympic and world levels, “carrying the flame is also a way of showing that, as a woman, a mother and mother-to-be, you can continue to practice sport at a high level.”

On June 9, it was the turn of Morgane, a sports enthusiast virtually since she was born, to be the focus of attention when the flame passed through Europe’s spaceport in Kourou. “The audience was very receptive and the atmosphere incredibly festive. The flame’s journey was broadcast live by France TV, and my family – who live all around the world – were able to follow me. It was extremely moving. What’s more, my children were with me and supported me by shouting out “look, that’s our mum!’”

Astrid was the last of the four ArianeGroup torch-bearers, and had the immense pleasure of carrying the flame on July 8 as it travelled through the town of Vernon, near Paris. This Olympic medal-winning fencer is world and European team vice-champion and French champion. Despite her familiarity with Olympic podiums, she could not hide her emotion during this highly symbolic act: “There was nothing but joy and smiles all along the roadside. The relay involving 11,000 torch-bearers symbolises the transmission of the Olympic values across the generations, for the entire world. All these torch-bearers are anonymous but vital links in a chain. Just as at ArianeGroup, where each employee contributed to the success of Ariane 6. We are all everyday heroes.”