Carrying the Olympic Torch - My personal experience

[Till-and-Jutta0]

On Tuesday, June 18, I was allowed to carry the Olympic Torch in Cannes La Croisette! Phew, that was exciting. Luckily, I was able to prepare myself practically and emotionally a month earlier in the south of France. But first things first:

Last fall, I was surprised by the news that I had been chosen as one of the lucky ones to take part in the unique event of the Olympic Torch Relay. Airbnb, as an official partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relay, had the great privilege of proposing to the Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games a shortlist of people who would carry the Olympic Flame to Paris. Thank you for that!

As a participant, you must embody at least one of the following energies: The energy of sport and the Games, the energy of the athletes, volunteers and amateur sportspersons from the various sports associations. The energy of the communities, symbolised by all those who are running businesses, innovating, creating and embodying French excellence across all sectors, throughout France. The collective energy, showcased by those who are taking action each day to build a more inclusive, more sustainable and fairer society with a stronger focus on solidarity.

So I applied and referred to my commitment to the Airbnb Host Advisory Board, as a volunteer community leader of the Homesharing Club Baden-Württemberg and as an enthusiastic homesharer for 14 years, for whom #GutesGastgeben is a matter close to my heart, i.e. compliance with local regulations and adherence to moral, ethical and democratic principles for social, sustainable, fair, considerate and ecological action.

I was delighted when my participation was confirmed, and I was soon able to start planning. After all, you don't carry the torch alone, you are part of a team, you take over the flame and pass it on. And then there are all the people who accompany you on the way, who stand at the side of the road and wave to you, and who run along as security guards. That's why it was important to me right from the start to promote communication, at least among those who were carrying the flame; and so I was able to gather 40 torch runners in a WhatsApp group, all of whom were selected by Airbnb. We exchanged ideas and often found ourselves assigned to the same route on the same day. I didn't see any other runners from Germany, but dear colleagues from Switzerland (Flora), Italy ( @Antonella78  and @Claudia331  ), France ( @Delphine348  and @Marielle135 ), USA (Nadia and @Ronaldo-And-Carla0 ) and many others with whom I work on the advisory board or as a community leader.

Laëtitia (CL Aude-Carcassonne)

Through this group, I soon got to know the Community Leaders  @Laëtitia-Stephy0 and Brigitte, who had been assigned to the south of France a month before me. Coincidentally, we were not far away ourselves at the time, on the other side of the Pyrenees. So we took on the role of spectators, got to know the course, felt the excitement, stood at the roadside and cheered along, and accompanied them to the final evening events in Perpignan and Carcassonne. There we toasted the new Franco-German friendship; the return visit to Stuttgart is already planned. The run in Prades with  @Laëtitia-Stephy0 has already made it into Wikipedia!

Laëtitia and Brigitte (CL Perpignan) [Source: Laëtitia]

In general: this sense of community that I generally feel at Airbnb, and which was reinforced by this unique event - that's the defining element. “I'm on the moon”, I still remember this quote from one of the participants very fondly. We owe it all to the community - because it is only through the many people who all play their part that a vibrant community is created. So I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone!

Lighting of the final bonfire in Perpignan

Then my deadline approached. Accommodation and travel had to be organized, the size of the uniform measured (I actually lost weight) and car pools arranged with @Antonella78 and  @Claudia331  .

Invitation to Cannes [Source: Till]

Cannes Route [Source: https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/olympic-torch-relay/map]

Together we are strong, and so we calmed each other down, because it was quite exciting: meeting point for all torch runners of the Cannes leg in a sports center (arrived just in time), changing clothes (fits!), briefing, then taking the bus and police escort to Cannes city center (oops, Halle Berry is sitting behind me). One after the other, we are handed a torch (still without a flame) and are released from the bus with our escort at our respective starting point to much cheering. Family and friends are already waiting there.

Encouragement on the bus: Claudia (CL Lecco) and Antonella (CL Milan)

Waiting is the right word, because it takes a while until all the support vehicles and the advertising caravan are through, and then you have to be patient. The spectators at the roadside dare to get closer and closer, everyone takes selfies.

Selfie with child

And suddenly the time has come:  @Antonella78  arrives with the burning torch, stops and we meet for the Torch Kiss and I light my torch on hers:

Torch Kiss Antonella [Quelle: Paris 2024 - Torch Relay]

I realize that now I have it, and I carry the flame my 200-meter section on the long way from Olympia to Paris. I set off with the burning torch (it weighs just under 2 kg and gets pretty hot - no storm can blow it out), escorted by a phalanx of security guards, cheered on by young and old who walk and run with me, broadcast live by France TV.

Mein Lauf in Cannes [Quelle: Paris 2024 - Relais de la Flamme]

Cannes La Croisette [Source: Paris 2024 - Relais de la Flamme]

My arm is getting heavy, but the course is manageable, so at the next Torch Kiss I pass the flame to the next runner and my torch is turned off.

Torch Kiss 2 [Source: France TV]

But that's not the end of the run, because we have to run two more stations to reach the bus that picks us up and takes us back to the sports center through all the hustle and bustle. There we have some refreshments and the tension slowly dissipates.

Group photo Cannes [Source: Paris 2024 - Relais de la Flamme]

We receive a central element of a torch (the ring that connects the upper and lower parts) as a token of appreciation, are allowed to keep our uniforms and are reunited with our neighbors.

Torch connection ring as a souvenir

Looking back, the emotions of this great event are still present, and I am full of gratitude that I was able to accompany this symbol for a while and carry the message of peace and friendship. I am reliving this moment as I write these lines!

Halle Berry tries to steal my thunder [Source: Nice Martin 19 juin 2024 p. 4]

[Deepl.com assisted me with the translation]

[Rebecca]

Hi @Till-and-Jutta0 👋

What an amazing experience! Although you said the torch was heavy, you looked like you carried it effortlessly and with great pride. Do you have to jog with it or just walk? 

Do they have procedures in place incase you drop it? That would be my biggest fear... 😅

Thank you so much for sharing the details of this amazing day! 😍 

[Till-and-Jutta0]

@Rebecca Think positive! Of course there could be happen a lot of things – but the organizing committee is prepared. You are not alone, but a huge staff is around you in case you need help.

The torch flame can’t be extinguished so easily; it will even resist to heavy storm or rain. And just in case there are two back-up flames in lanterns, I’ve been told (as far as I remember).

Well, the speed: There is always an assistant with you who has the schedule in mind. So it’s upon him to suggest you to jog faster or to move slower.

I really enjoyed it – and I’m very grateful that I got this unique opportunity!

[Claudia331]

@Till-and-Jutta0 your reporting is amazing! 

Great emotion to remember those moments we lived together, impressed in my mind forever

thank you for sharing 

see you at the next Olympics  Games Milano Cortina 2026 😉

[Stefhen0]

@Till-and-Jutta0 Carrying the Olympic Torch:

Carrying the Olympic Torch in Cannes La was an unforgettable experience that filled me with both pride and excitement. The journey from receiving the incredible news to the day I held the Torch was nothing short of surreal. The support from Airbnb, as an official partner, made this moment possible, and I’m forever grateful for being chosen. It’s hard to describe the mix of emotions I felt while preparing and running through the iconic streets of the south of France, but it’s an experience everyone should aspire to be part of.