This Sunday, the Olympic Torch Relay made its way through Champagne country, from the prestigious vineyards in Reims, along the cobbled streets of Sézanne and up the Avenue du Champagne in Épernay, highlighting the wealth of the area’s heritage. It also put the spotlight on this land where nature and agriculture predominate, particularly by crossing the Lac de Der Lake. The crowds were able to cheer on a collective relay devoted to adapted sport. More than 150 torchbearers took it in turns to carry the Olympic Torch throughout the day, including boxer Tony Yoka and athlete Yohann Diniz, a native of the area, who lit the celebration cauldron at the end of the day in Reims.
A journey from Vitry-le-François to Reims
This Sunday, the Olympic Torch Relay was in the heart of a remarkable natural setting. First and foremost, the Marne is a land of plains, forests, famous vineyards (naturally) and a natural park. Indeed, it is one of the leading agricultural areas in France with two thirds of its surface devoted to farming. It owes its reputation and prestigious identity to champagne production. Although the bubbly beverage is produced in five different departments, 66% of the champagne vineyards can be found in the Marne.
This know-how was highlighted throughout the day by the Olympic Torch Relay as it made its way through the Marne. The route began in Vitry-le-François where it was taken past the Porte du Pont gate, the town hall and the Place d’Armes, in a strongly symbolic manner: the town had already hosted the Olympic Torch in 1967 before the Grenoble Winter Olympic Games. Afterwards, it travelled to Giffaumont-Champaubert, to the Lac du Der Lake for a segment aboard a “dragon boat”, a large boat with a crew of paddlers.
Heritage was also to the fore, with visits to the Saint Etienne cathedral in Châlons-en-Champagne, the Dom Pérignon statue in Sainte-Menehould and the medieval streets of Sézanne. Earlier in the day in Épernay, the Olympic Torch Relay travelled up the famous Avenue de Champagne, which is home to the headquarters of the major champagne producers. Lastly, it lit up all the emblematic sites that Reims has to offer: the Parc de Champagne, Saint Rémi basilica, Stade Auguste Delaune stadium and Notre Dame cathedral, where many French kings were crowned. It was then taken to the Porte de Mars gate because the celebration venue was set up on the adjoining square.
Tony Yoka and Yohann Diniz among the champions celebrated today
A total of 157 torchbearers took it in turns to carry the Olympic Torch throughout the day. Among them were many champions who put France on the map. The inhabitants of the Marne were able to cheer on the Olympic gold medallist at boxing in Rio in 2016, Tony Yoka. Other very talented sportspeople were also present, including Nwal-Endéné Miyem, a basketballer and medallist in London in 2012 and in Tokyo in 2021, Elsa Millart, a three times world champion in Paralympic artistic swimming, Véronique Pierron, who has taken part in four Olympic Games in speed skating, and Manon Durand, a world championship silver medallist in canoeing.
They rubbed shoulders with Lucas Créange, a bronze medallist in table tennis at the last Paralympic Games, Ismaël Taggae, world breakdance champion in 2003 and footballer Alexandra Atamaniuk. Athletes who distinguish themselves in non-Olympic disciplines were also present, such as Marina Rousserie, who has taken part in the Ironman world championships, Laurence Klein, European champion and silver medallist at the world championships in the 100 km race, and InèsLanz, one of the best women pétanque players in the Marne.
Another emblematic sportsman from the region had the honour of lighting the celebration cauldron at the end of the day: Yohann Diniz. At the age of 46 years old, he is an emblematic figure in race walking. In the 50 km walk, he was three times European champion (2006, 2010 and 2014), once world champion (in 2017) and took part in the Olympic Games twice. His presence at the celebration site was rich in meaning for this committed athlete from Épernay, where the Olympic Torch passed a handful of hours earlier.
Pride of place for adapted sport
Alongside all these athletes were many members of the general public who distinguish themselves through their everyday commitments and who had the honour of carrying the Olympic Torch. Among them was Mélanie Verbeure, who endeavours to introduce her granddaughter, who suffers from cystic fibrosis, to a multitude of sports. The day’s oldest torchbearer, Michelle Masson, has been devoting herself to the gymnastics club Association Gymnique Rémoise for more than the last 40 years. She carried the Olympic Torch in Reims, as did Laurent Trentler, the physiotherapist for France’s adapted skiing team and then adapted tennis team.
Indeed, adapted sport was celebrated in Châlons-en-Champagne, via a collective relay. The town is one of the cradles of the discipline thanks to the work of ASAC Les Matelots, one of the oldest associations in the discipline, and the organisation of several world championships.
The French Federation of Adapted Sport organised this collective relay. The captain of the relay was Thierry Washetine, the first French world champion in adapted sport, in the javelin event.
Tomorrow, the Olympic Torch Relay teams and those of its partners, Coca-Cola, Banque Populaire and Caisse d’Epargne, will be able to take a breather and enjoy a well-deserved rest day. They will be back on the road again the day after, for a day that promises to be colourful in the Nord department. The Olympic Torch Relay will visit Tourcoing, Roubaix and Lille where the party is sure to be in full swing!