With the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics less than two months away, Chamonix was looking forward to the arrival of the Olympic flame in June.
One hundred years ago, Chamonix hosted the first Winter Olympic Games and in just a few weeks’ time, World Olympic Day on Sunday 23 June will celebrate the return of the Olympic flame.
Although the flame did pass through Chamonix on the way to the Grenoble 1968 and Turin 2006 Winter Olympics, this is the first time the summer flame has been to the town.
CELEBRATE THE OLYMPIC TORCH IN CHAMONIX
There will be plenty of ways to celebrate as the makes its way through the resort on this "Journee Olympique"
From 2pm to 6pm there will be a chance to take part in a run range of sporting activities, including a ‘firefighter’s course’, bobsleigh pushing, air rifle shooting and martial arts. That all takes place at the sports arena.
Then from 3.30pm, the Place du Mont-Blanc hosts the Olympic Torch Relay celebrations in a dedicated ‘Paris 2024’ zone.
Finally, the flame will arrive at 7.20pm for the lighting of the Olympic cauldron, welcomed by a guard of honour made up of 24 people of different ages and backgrounds.
This will be followed by a tribute Queen act playing at 8.30pm at Parc Couttet.
THE TORCHBEARERS
There will be 65 carriers of the torch in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, five have been chosen to represent the importance of the Olympic values for the town.
These five torchbearers are:
Monique MOLLIER - Former lifeguard at the Sports Center & volunteer with the swimming club for 50 years, Monique has been secretary of the Chamonix paragliding club for 20 years.
Meije BIDAULT - In 2004, a car accident left Meije paraplegic. He now competes as a para-athlete and is targeting the 2026 Paralympic Games in Milano-Cortina.
Edith AUBERT – Responsible for the ‘Secours Populaire’, also a cross-country ski guide and volunteer, Edith dedicates her life to others.
Merlin SURGET – With a Snowboard Cross World Cup win and 5th at the 2022 Olympics, Merlin was the flag bearer of the French delegation at the Youth Olympics.
Michel CAUX - Michel is a 'pure' Chamoniard! At the age of 10, he started playing ice hockey at the Chamonix club, collecting 13 French championship titles, and playing at the 1968 Grenoble Olympic Games.
FOLLOW THE OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY
The flame will start the day in Evian, making its way to Chamonix via Annemasse and Cluses. You can view the full route of the Olympic torch relay here.
The relay will cover 12,000 kilometres thanks to over 10,000 flame-bearers over 68 days. The 2024 Paris Olympics start on 26 July.
BOOK ACCOMMODATION IN CHAMONIX
If you'd like to visit Chamonix this summer, please contact the Ski Weekend team on 01392 878 353 and we would be delighted to help.