Times are changing in the Olympic movement. A development which, improbable phenomenon, even affects the flame of the Games. The precious torch was relighted on April 21, 2016 in Olympia, in a scene worthy of an ancient peplum. So far, nothing very new. But what follows takes a less marked path.
In Athens, the flame passed through a refugee camp. She kindly let herself be carried by one of them, a Syrian, quite surprised by such a sign of attention. This Friday, April 29, it was exhibited at the United Nations Palace in Geneva. Thomas Bach, the President of the IOC, Ban Ki-moon, the Secretary General of the United Nations, and Albert of Monaco, enveloped her with protective and solemn looks and words. She must then treat herself to a short stay in Lausanne, Olympic city and site of the Winter YOG in 2020.
Greece, Switzerland, then Brazil from May 3. Classic and expected. Carlos Nuzman, IOC member and president of Rio 2016, is to escort him on the plane between Switzerland and Brazil. The flame should then be led, with the same taste of ceremonial, towards the presidential palace where Dilma Rousseff, probable future former president of Brazil, is supposed to welcome it.
In Rio de Janeiro, a surprise awaits him. Not necessarily very pleasant. Remorselessly twisting the neck of the Olympic tradition, although it was engraved in stone, the Brazilian organizers decided that the flame of the 2016 Games would not burn in a stadium. Well no. Mario Andrada, the spokesperson for the organizing committee, confirmed information heard for several days: once the opening ceremony is over, the cauldron will be moved to be installed in the city. The maneuver must take place during the day of August 6, 2016.
The reason? Obscure. Eduardo Paes, the mayor of Rio de Janeiro, explains that he wants to give the flame a more popular dimension than ever. A desire which would have led him to suggest to the organizers to take her out of the stadium, where only ticket holders can approach her. By placing the basin in town, the municipal authorities wish to make it more accessible to the general public, spectators or not.
For Rio 2016 spokesperson Mario Andrada, the Maracana stadium would have its “limitations”. Not false. The legendary sports venue was chosen for the opening ceremony. But it will not host the athletics events, planned at the Olympic stadium. Between two ceremonies, Maracana will remain empty. The flame could feel very alone there, burning for more than two weeks in almost general indifference.
One question remains: the vacation spot of the Olympic cauldron. Mario Andrada told the agency Associated Press: “The flame will be installed in the port district, in the immediate vicinity of Plaza Maua.” This urban area was recently redeveloped by the city of Rio with the aim of giving it a new lease of life. Eduardo Paes wants to make it one of the hubs of the Olympic celebration, a sort of fan zone with sporting and cultural demonstrations, concerts and giant screens. The flame would have a unique Olympic experience there. She would see people, a lot of people, if not looking after the athletes.
But Mario Andrada clarified to AP: “It will be installed near Plaza Maua, but exactly on the square. » The flame could actually be nestled near a church, the Candelaria (our photo). Maybe. Not sure. A real treasure hunt.
