French Sailing Ship Belem Arrives in Athens to Transport Olympic Flame for Paris 2024

The French historical sailing ship Belem arrived at the port of Piraeus near Athens, Greece on Monday, April 22, 2024. The three-masted vessel, which made its first voyage in 1896, will be used to transport the Olympic flame from Greece to France for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. The arrival of the ship was celebrated by thousands of fans and marks an important milestone in the lead-up to the 2024 Olympics.

The Belem will carry the Olympic flame from Greece to Marseille, France, where it will begin a 68-day relay across the country leading up to the Opening Ceremony on July 26. The flame was ceremonially lit in Ancient Olympia and has been crossing the Greek terrain as part of the national torch relay. On April 26, the flame will be passed to the Paris 2024 organizers at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, marking the transition from Greece to France.

This will be the first time the Olympic Flame is transported by sea across the Mediterranean. The Belem will open its decks to visitors before departing, offering a unique opportunity to witness the flame's embarkation and the vessel's connection to Olympic history and maritime heritage. The ship is currently located in Piraeus, awaiting the arrival of the Olympic Flame on Saturday after an 11-day torch relay across Greece.

Why this matters: The transportation of the Olympic flame by the historic Belem sailing ship symbolizes the connection between the ancient Olympic tradition and the modern Games. It also highlights the cultural exchange and cooperation between Greece and France as the Olympic torch is passed from the birthplace of the Olympics to the host of the 2024 Summer Games.

The Olympic Flame will embark on its journey across France on May 8 and reach Paris on July 26 for the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games. "The arrival of the Belem in Athens is a significant moment as we prepare to bring the Olympic spirit to France," said Paris 2024 Organizing Committee President Tony Estanguet. "We look forward to welcoming the flame in Marseille and sharing the excitement of the Olympics with the people of France as it travels to Paris."

Key Takeaways

• French sailing ship Belem arrived in Greece to transport 2024 Olympic flame to France.
• Belem will carry flame from Greece to Marseille, France for 68-day relay to Paris.
• This is the first time Olympic flame is transported by sea across the Mediterranean.
• Belem's transport symbolizes connection between ancient Olympics and modern Games.
• Flame will reach Paris on July 26 for 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony.