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With the 2024 Paris Olympic Games approaching fast, the names of many flame bearers have been revealed. There are some familiar names from French canoeing on the list.

“The flame relay is a moment of communion with history and Olympic values. It is also a moment of sharing with the nation. Finally, it also participates in the promotion of our paddle sports and our territories and help make these Games a celebration for all,” said Jean Zoungrana, the president of the French Canoe Federation.

Among the names revealed, who will be the torch bearer in the upcoming months, we can find many familiar names from French canoeing. Anne Lise Bardet and Anne-Laure Viard will be the captains of the two relays. Bardet, the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games bronze medallist in women’s kayak slalom, will have an honour in Pau, where one of the main French canoeing centres is located. Anne-Laure Viard, who was the 2008 Olympic Games medallist, when she won bronze medal in women’s K2 500 metres event alongside Marie Delattre, will be the captain in Cesson-Sevigne. The-25-year-old Marjorie Delassus, who finished fourth in women’s C1 in canoe slalom at the Tokyo Olympic Games will be the torch bearer in Pau. Her colleague Martin Thomas, who was fifth at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, will have an honour in Charente. Of course, there will be canoe sprinters among the torch bearers as well. Vanina Paoletti will be in action in Maine-et-Loire. The 26-year-old paddler, too, has experience from Olympic Games. She competed in women’s K4 500 meters in Tokyo. Maxime Beaumont, the 2016 Olympic silver medallist in men’s K1 200 metres event, was announced a torch bearer in Pas de Calais department. In Marne department, Manon Durand, French wildwater canoeing medallist at World and European Championships will have an honour.

Source: https://www.ffck.org/2024/01/10/les-relais-collectifs-de-la-flamme