On stage 37, the Olympic Torch Relay benefitted from its visit to the Vichy urban community to re-energise in an area renowned for its water, its thermal baths and its exceptional historical heritage. From Le Mayet-de-Montagne in the heart of the Bourbonnaise Mountains to Vichy, via Saint-Yorre, more than one hundred torchbearers took it in turns to illuminate the area’s emblematic sites. To conclude the day, Théo Curin, a para-swimmer and silver medallist at the world championships in 2017 in the 100 m and 200 m freestyle, lit the cauldron at the celebration venue in Vichy. To entertain the crowds, activities were organised from 3.30 pm, with, in particular, shows put on by the sponsors of the Olympic Torch Relay, namely Coca-Cola, Banque Populaire and Caisse d’Epargne, featuring musical and dance performances for the spectators’ delight.
From Le Mayet-de-Montagne to Vichy
The Vichy urban community is a dynamic and well-preserved area which has established itself as a preferred destination for tourists and spa enthusiasts. Renowned for its water and heritage from bygone days, it is brimming with historical sites. Indeed, Vichy is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site for its role in the emergence of spa culture in Europe in the 19th century. It is also an area which is a good place to live and in which sport is especially well developed. Each year many sports competitions and sports camps are organised here. The town of Vichy has received the distinction of being chosen to be a preparation centre for the Olympic Games for 42 sporting disciplines.
The entire Vichy urban community came together for this celebratory and unifying day. The route of the Olympic Torch Relay began in the small municipality of Le Mayet-de-Montagne. It then travelled to Saint-Yorre, which is particularly renowned for its water, earning it the nickname of “the town that sparkles”. After a stop at the covered market in Square Romon, a relay took place at Saint-Germain-des-Fossés, through which the River Allier flows.
Afterwards, it headed for the hills and Bourbonnaise Mountains in Cusset. On this part of the route, it passed in front of a concert orchestra on its way to the Collège Saint-Joseph junior high school. The next destination of the Olympic Torch Relay was Vichy, passing from the CREPS centre of sporting excellence to the racecourse, over the Pont Jacques Chirac bridge that spans the River Allier and then on to the town centre where it arrived at Place de la Mairie, the site of the celebration venue.
A party all day long, all along the route
A festival atmosphere and collective enthusiasm could be observed throughout the day. Many activities were set up by the municipalities visited by the Olympic Torch to transform each relay into a moment of sharing involving as many people as possible. This was particularly the case at Saint-Germain-des-Fossés where several musical groups enlivened the passage of the Olympic Torch convoy. At Place Victor Hugo in Cusset, the crowds were treated to a show involving hip-hop and freestyle football.
Initiatives aimed at the general public were also plentiful in Vichy. Old and young alike were invited to take part in sporting and cultural activities in front of the CREPS. Along the route, children from the Lifetri association formed a guard of honour for the Olympic Torch. At Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, several dance groups from the Art’dance school put on a show featuring colourful and lively choreography.
More than one hundred torchbearers were present
During the day, 109 torchbearers took it in turns to carry the Olympic Torch. Among them were major sportspeople, such as Vincent Jay, a French biathlete who won two Olympic medals at the winter Games in 2010 in Vancouver: a gold medal in the sprint event, making him the first French person to win an Olympic title in this type of race, and a bronze medal in the pursuit event. Julien Veysseyre was also present. This para-triathlete who is a member of the French team and world champion in cross triathlon is also an ambassador for a company specialised in manufacturing racing blades for people whose lower limbs have been amputated.
Many members of the general public who are heavily involved in local sport also carried the Olympic Torch, such as Laurence Allard, the day’s first torchbearer, who helps to run a basketball club, Alice Naux, who takes part in regional competitions, and Amélie Vernay who participates in twirling (combining dance, gymnastics and baton twirling) at European level. Among their male counterparts were 91-year-old Yves Carrey, the oldest member of the “Vichy Rando” hiking club, and Alain Dusang, the current coach of Racing Club Vichy Rugby.
Several torchbearers committed to social and solidarity causes dear to their hearts also carried the Olympic Torch along the roads of the Vichy urban community, such as Christelle Aujeamme, a big-hearted sportswoman who gives her all daily as a firefighter, and Paul-François L’Huilier, who runs a solidarity grocery store in Vichy.
The values that they promote are also those of the day’s last torchbearer, Théo Curin, who is model of resilience and abnegation. He won a silver medal in freestyle para-swimming in 2017 at the world championships in Mexico and then acquired even greater fame through his extraordinary challenges, such as swimming across Lake Titicaca or completing the Santa Fe-Coronda aquatic marathon. He became the first para-athlete to finish this legendary 57-km race through almost nine hours of swimming in the muddy and perilous waters of Argentina. This man who has many strings to his bow and who stops at nothing had the honour of lighting the celebration cauldron to round off the day in Vichy.
Tomorrow, the Olympic Torch Relay will embark on another stage along France’s roads as it travels through the Loire department. The celebration venue at the end of the day will be located in Saint-Etienne where the celebration cauldron will be aptly lit at the stadium of the city’s famous, green-kitted football club, at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, also known as ‘the cauldron’.
Events have already begun in the city, with a major concert organised by Coca-Cola this evening to mark the Music Festival, where 5,000 people are expected to gather in front of the stadium. For the occasion, Coke Studio is presenting a 100% all-female line-up with two artists, Santa and Bianca Costa, who will be carrying the Olympic Torch the following day. The former has made a name for herself with her huge diamond disc single “Popcorn Salé”, which has been streamed worldwide more than 100 million times. The latter is establishing herself as the new diva of bossa nova, combing French rap with traditional Brazilian sounds. Before them, soul singer Kami from Saint-Etienne will open the concert with her inimitable talent, for guaranteed thrills!
