The Olympic Torch was greeted today by leading officials, parliamentarians and staff of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg during an unprecedented stop on its journey to the host city of Paris ahead of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
A torch-bearer passed through crowds of well-wishers in the streets of Strasbourg before running past the flags of the Council of Europe's 46 member states, up the steps of its headquarters, the Palais de l'Europe, and through its main entrance, where it was accorded the honour of a red-carpet welcome. The Torch then entered the Council of Europe's debating chamber, the first time it has ever entered the premises of a parliament.
PACE President Theodoros Rousopoulos welcomed the Torch and recalled the 2,800-year-old origins of the Games in his native Greece, and their historic link with France through Pierre de Coubertin's revival of the modern Games in 1896.
"We welcome the Olympic flame of peace into the cradle of human rights!" declared the President as the Torch burned in the centre of the Chamber. "We send our best wishes to the International Olympic Committee and to France for the organisation of the Games of the 33rd Olympiad. Bonne route pour Paris!"
The Torch is being carried by some 11,500 runners on its 12,500-kilometre journey from Ancient Olympia in Greece to the host city.
