This was to be one of the striking images of the passing of the torch between Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. But at the last minute, the giant flag of 5,800m square which was to be deployed in honor of the Olympic Games will not be able to fly in the Parisian sky, Sunday.
"Weather hazards will unfortunately not allow the raising of the flag at the top of the Eiffel Tower in optimal safety conditions", announced the organization of the next Games in Paris.
Last June, a test presentation was organized at the summit on the Grande Dame, allowing Parisians to admire this symbol of the passing of the Olympic torch between Tokyo and Paris, on the closing day of the XXXII Olympiad, in Japan.
A gigantic flag hung a few minutes yesterday at @LaTourEiffel, prefiguration of the one that will be deployed on August 8 for the end of the @jeuxolympiques de @ Tokyo2020 and the handover at @ Paris2024 #sport pic.twitter.com/49yeHh0jIJ
- Mairie du 15 (@ Mairie15) June 10, 2021
The festivities maintained
On the other hand, the whole ceremony planned by the French Olympic committee is well maintained.
Hundreds of spectators are already present at the Trocadéro, in Paris, to attend the festivities.
Arrival of athletes, entertainment, Woodkid concert, "the celebration will be there," insisted on the organization.
From 2:30 p.m. Paris time, the mayor of the capital Anne Hidalgo will solemnly receive the Olympic flag from the hands of the governor of Tokyo.
A ceremony will also take place along the Seine and above: a flight over the Eiffel Tower by the Patrouille de France is planned, as well as a connection with Thomas Pesquet, currently in the International Space Station (ISS).
From the Trocadéro to the quays of the Seine, the Olympic fever should bewitch the capital.
