The incredible journey of the Olympic torch is drawing to a close! On 26 July, it made its final dash from Saint-Denis to Paris, where it will ignite the cauldron at the Paris Opening Ceremony tonight. In about three months, the torch has lit up over towns and cities across 65 regions, including 5 overseas territories, and covered 17, kilometres!
The torch painted smiles on faces and touched hearts wherever it went, offering a beautiful glimpse of the excitement awaiting the French people in just a few hours. Today, the Olympic torch performed its final dance through the regions, from Saint-Denis, in the Seine-Saint-Denis department, to Paris, where it will make its appearance at tonight's Opening Ceremony.
Along its route, the torch passed through several Olympic venues pulsating with Games excitement, as well as historic sites such as the Basilica of Saint-Denis. It even took to the water, gliding along the Saint-Denis and Saint-Martin canals, moving to the beat of performances organised by the City of Paris.
This final day was anything but ordinary! Around a hundred torchbearers illuminated the journey, thrilling onlookers with a star-studded line-up. The Olympic world was well represented too, with the International Olympic Committee President, Thomas Bach, joining the relay, not to mention all the unsung heroes with inspiring stories.
The events of the day reached a crescendo with Pharrell Williams at the Basilica of Saint-Denis, followed by a never-seen-before performance by the artist Slimane, organised by the City of Saint-Denis, just hours before the Opening Ceremony.
