On the evening of July 26, we will know. Until then, we guess. We imagine. We are drawing shots of the comet. Who will be the lucky one ? Who will be the lucky one? Who will be the lucky ones? At this point, the question comes down to this. And the best kept secret in the world will most likely remain so, like every four years, until the last second. On July 26 in Paris, who will have the immense honor of lighting the Olympic cauldron and opening the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad?
Marie-José Pérec, triple Olympic champion (400m in Barcelona, 200 and 400m in Atlanta) is a most natural candidate in her capacity as a legend of French athletics. Will she be chosen for the final torch relay? Does she want it? The question was asked to him on Tuesday at Etoiles du Sport. And the Guadeloupean responded, weighing her words carefully.
“What message does France want to send?”
After a moment of reflection and a surprised “wow”, she started: “Being chosen would make me very happy. I would be very touched because I know that many people want to wear it. Afterwards, we talk about a united French team, of a single moment, of the Olympic Games, of the Paralympic Games , and inclusion.”
Thierry Henry: “No one is above Marie-José Pérec”
“If I had to choose, I wouldn’t just take one person to light the basin. I would take a disabled man and woman, an able-bodied man and woman, she clarified. Before repeating, as if to hammer home: I would not take just one person. When we choose the flame bearers and the last bearer in particular, we must ask ourselves: ‘What do I want to say to the world? What message does France want to send?
One thing is certain, “La Gazelle” will not put itself forward. And will not apply: “We are not applying for that. It is not my role to propose myself. I cannot choose what France wants to tell the world. I am not President of the Republic.”
On August 5, 1992, Pérec won gold in the 400m final in Barcelona