Paris recently witnessed two days of celebration as hundreds of people carried the Olympic torch through various iconic locations in the city. From the Louvre Museum to the Champs-Elysees, participants, including athletes, artists, and community figures, ran with the torch while joyful crowds cheered them on. The torch relay served as a prelude to the upcoming Summer Games scheduled to start at the end of the month.

Matthias Dandois, a BMX world champion, expressed his emotions at being part of the event, stating that it was a dream come true for him as a Parisian who has always been passionate about sports and the Olympics. The torchbearers, dressed in white, moved at a gentle pace amid the cheers and support of spectators lining the route.

The relay in Paris featured a diverse range of participants, with people like Francky Mbotto, a middle-distance runner, highlighting the significance of Olympism and delivering messages of peace. Wheelchair basketball athlete Eva David described the relay as a moment of jubilation, emphasizing the uniting power of sports and music, as mentioned by Belgian singer Mentissa, who carried the torch.

The torch relay culminated in a grand entrance for Bastille Day, with notable figures such as former World Cup winner Thierry Henry and K-Pop icon Jin from the band BTS participating. The event also paid homage to the victims of the 2015 attacks in Paris, with torchbearer Lassana Bathily honored at the Pantheon monument.

The relay provided a sense of relief and joy to some spectators amidst recent challenging times in France. The torch will continue its journey through northern France and the Paris region before the Olympic cauldron is lit at the opening ceremony on the River Seine on July 26.