He is one of the 11,000 elected officials. At 47, Ludovic Franceschet will carry the Olympic flame through the streets of Paris on July 15, 11 days before the opening ceremony. Famous for his videos highlighting his profession on social networks (nearly 500,000 subscribers, particularly on TikTok and Instagram), the Parisian cleaning agent did not hide his emotion three months before the meeting.
What does this Olympic torch relay mean to you?
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, over 4 billion people around the world will watch this! I represent the message of cleanliness. I will not carry the flame as an agent, but as someone committed to cleanliness on the planet and peace in the world. For this, there is no better symbol than the Olympic flame. I would also like there to be an Olympic truce. In any case, I never imagined that I would get to this point. I can never thank enough the people who discovered me on the networks. »
How did you learn that you were among the lucky ones?
“I was called. I even had the choice, because in addition to Paris, another community also wanted me (laughs). My choice went to Paris which is the city of my heart, I don't live there but it would be my dream. I was called before the holidays, I exploded with joy, I even cried. I almost sat down, but being at work, if 'Saccage Paris' came on, it would have looked bad (laughs)! I couldn't talk about it publicly, only my mother and those around me knew. »
Did you manage to stay silent?
“There was an oral agreement, but as long as we had not received the confirmation emails, we should not talk about it… And the city of Paris had to communicate first. I received the famous email, but like an idiot (sic) I lost it! It's not the kind of thing you want to lose, so I had to call back to make sure. »
Especially since you weren't originally selected for this relay...
“I applied like thousands of people, but I received a negative email! You know, the emails that start with “Thank you for your application, but…” So when they called me back, I asked them if they were sure they would take me on (laughs). I was told that I had simply received an automatic email. »
Do you have more details on what happened on July 15?
“They give the information in dribs and drabs. I gave my clothing size, I will have a superb white tracksuit but no bucket hat! It will be 200 m, but I don't know which street I will be on. I was told that I could walk, I still hope that I can take my time (laughs) What I know is that there are logistics around all that, with a big security bubble . When I think about it, I say to myself, if someone shoots and I get something, it will be a good death..."
How do you plan to go about conveying this message?
“I have one or two little surprises in store, but I can’t say anything. I have to manage my own thing. What if they refuse to let me send a message? I do not think so. »
Where does this commitment come from?
“When I was 5 or 6 years old, I lived in an estate called “Le Cabanon”. Like in the series Dallas, but without the money (laughs)! When I was hiding behind the cypress tree, I saw this monster coming: the garbage truck. I told myself that these people were geniuses. It came from there. »