The Olympic Torch Relay discovers the Val-d’Oise
On 19th July, the Olympic Torch Relay made its way back to the Ile-de-France region and lit up the gems of the Val-d’Oise. In the preserved natural spaces of the Vexin natural park in Théméricourt to the dynamic towns of Pontoise, Cergy or Argenteuil, the Olympic Torch continued to foster excitement about the 2024 Paris Games with less than 10 days to go until the opening ceremony.
In Sarcelles, attention was focused on the swimming collective relay, led by Camille Lacourt, a five times World and European Champion. Other sporting figures, such as fencing athlete Jean-Paul Tony-Helissey and French international football referee Stéphanie Frappart helped to make this an unforgettable day. In Soisy-sous-Montmorency, Brigitte Deydier, a French judo athlete who won a silver medal at the 1988 Games when the discipline made its appearance as a demonstration sport, lit the cauldron at the celebration venue.
The Olympic Torch illuminates the Val-d’Oise
Situated in the northern part of the Île-de-France region, Val-d’Oise is one of the youngest administrative departments in mainland France. Such a dynamic character is accompanied by an unusual contrast, with an urbanised area to the east, while to the west farming landscapes and authentic, charming villages form the backdrop.
The Olympic Torch began the day in Théméricourt, a town that plays host to the headquarters of the Vexin regional natural park. In the Aubette Valley, the relay began its journey from the village’s castle, which dates back to the 15th century, before heading for the village’s centre. It then enjoyed the encouragement of the spectators between Pontoise and Cergy. Having set off from the île de Pothuis island, it followed a part of the Oise River before heading to the Hall Omnisport Philippe Hémet sports complex and then the Hôtel du Département, the seat of the local authorities. With its 8 hectares of vast sunlit expanses, Parc Schlumberger in Cormeilles-en-Parisis is a great place to get away from it all.
At the end of the morning, the Olympic Torch Relay set out from this green setting towards the Parc des Berges in Argenteuil. As it passed through Méry-sur-Oise, it crossed over the Oise River via the bridge at Auvers-sur-Oise.
In the middle of the afternoon, the relay stopped off in Sarcelles, for a visit to the Nelson Mandela sports centre before heading to the Pierre de Coubertin sports complex in Garges-Lès-Gonesse. In Saint-Prix, the Olympic Torch lit up the Château de la Chasse castle, in the heart of the Montmorency Forest, offering the torchbearers a nice jaunt around the pond. The last segment between Deuil-la-Barre and Soisy-sous-Montmorency put the spotlight on this peaceful and preserved town, also known for the Enghien-Soisy racecourse, where prestigious trotting races are held and where the celebration venue was located.
A decarbonisation project in Montmorency Forest supported by Paris 2024
Sustainability is at the heart of the 2024 Paris Games, with the aim of reducing the event’s carbon footprint by half in comparison to the 2012 London Games and 2016 Rio Games. Paris 2024 also supports climate contribution projects to offset unavoidable emissions. As part of this programme, Paris 2024 is backing 13 carbon avoidance or capture projects, including 4 in France, which have been awarded the Low Carbon Label, with a project in the Montmorency Forest. Its closeness to the Olympic site at the Stade de France makes it a key project for the 2024 Paris Games.
This action is all the more crucial for the 5th most visited forest in the Île-de-France region, which has been severely affected by chestnut blight and was classified as in crisis in 2018. The Paris 2024 initiative aims to restore 42.4 hectares of damaged plots thanks to a diversity of 16 forest tree species, to make it more resilient, while securing public access and preserving the quality of its landscapes.
Camille Lacourt captains the day’s collective relay
The second collective relay organised by the French Federation of Swimming, at the pool in Sarcelles, was an opportunity to promote the discipline’s diversity as well as the “sauv’nage” programme, which allows people to learn the basics to be able to swim in a pool.
This collective relay was led by a legendary captain: Camille Lacourt. Backstroke specialist Camille is a five times World and European Champion. He was accompanied by 23 other torchbearers who all share his passion for swimming. The spectators were able to cheer on champions such as Stéphan Caron, a bronze medallist in the 100 metres freestyle at the Seoul and Barcelona Olympics, Christophe Marchand, a bronze medallist at the European championships in 1993 and coach for CS Clichy 92 Natation, and Lionel Poirot, a gold medallist in the 4 x 100 metres freestyle and silver medallist in the 4 x 200 metres freestyle at the Mediterranean Games. Alongside them were Thilasay Vongsaya, an emerging talent in French swimming who is aiming to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Games, Bénédicte Tancrez, who has been taking part in artistic swimming since the age of 10 years old, and Nicolas Douady, chairman of the swimming club in Draveil, who pours his energy into helping the club’s 400 members to success.
Almost 150 torchbearers allow the Val-d’Oise to shine
Almost 150 torchbearers took the Olympic Torch to the four corners of the Val d’Oise. Among them were Maureen Nisima, a swordswoman who won an individual gold medal at the world championships in 2010, Jean-Paul Tony-Helissey, a foil specialist and Olympic silver medallist in the team event at the 2016 Olympic Games, and Johan Yvalun, who has completed 20 marathons and boasts a 4th place at the Ironman world championships in Hawaii.
In Pontoise, Julien Bartoli, a two times laser run world champion in the individual and team events in 2022, a performance he repeated the following year, was present. With a passion for running lasting more than thirty years, he is synonymous with excellence in this sport. Stéphanie Frappart, the first woman to referee a men’s professional football match in the Ligue 2 second tier division and also elected as best women’s football referee in the world on two occasions, was also in attendance.
Judo enjoyed pride of place with Brigitte Deydier, who was chosen to complete the day by lighting the cauldron at the celebration venue. After winning three world championships in the 1980s and four European championships, she won a silver medal at the Seoul Games in 1988. Today, she is committed to promoting the role of women in sport.
Other torchbearers with inspiring stories to tell were able to get their hands on the Olympic Torch, such as Émilie Pouget, a table tennis enthusiast for more than 20 years who played in the National 2 division and who was the first torchbearer on the 61st stage. Later in the morning, David Rotondi, in charge of sport for the Chambly municipal authorities, carried the Olympic Torch in Cormeilles-en-Parisis. He divides his time between karate lessons and his role as the community’s ‘Land of the Games’ advisor. In these roles, he has succeeded in creating a dynamic sporting and associative network throughout the area.
The Olympic Torch Relay will continue its journey on Saturday 20th July in Seine-et-Marne. It will cross this multi-faceted area from Fontainebleau to Meaux, where the celebration venue for the 62nd stage will be located.