About ten departments refused to welcome the passing of the legendary Olympic flame on its three-month journey before Olympic Games Paris 2024. Main reason? Sum “disproportionate” spend organize welcome flame. After being in Hérault and Aveyron, it must be said that there is a lack of sparkle (to say the least)! No matter, after turning over Corsica, the flame returns to Occitanie, passing through Perpignan, Carcassonne, Toulouse, Auch and Tarbes. But that will not pass in Tarn, and Christophe Ramond, president of the Regional Council, explains why.
And first, let’s highlight the disappointment with the parade who accompanies the torch bearers. An anemic line of advertising vehicles of the privileged sponsors of the global event. Financial institutions and sodait emphasizes the extent to which amateurism and the idea of mens sana in corpore sano Juvenal is not really on the agenda.
Aesthetically, it is worthy of a village corseor caravan of Tour of France in the post-war years, “sponsors” were so stingy on cheap gadgets that would make children so happy. If you want to be kitsch, you can be that with generosity! But no ! Famous or anonymous, flame bearers would still deserve better. Kudos to them in any case.
How to explain the position of the IOC
asking for 180,000 euros per department
for passing the torch?
This is an aberration! “
But let’s get to work! From Albi – the very symbol of resistance to absolutism since 1145 – he was president Tarn Ward CouncilChristophe Ramond, who explains why “The Olympic flame does not pass through the Tarn.” It’s his turn:
“No, the Olympic flame does not pass through the Tarn. But yes, let’s revive the spirit of the Olympic Games 365 days a year! The Olympic Games represent a huge opportunity for France and our territories, for our economy, tourism, young people and to promote our “life together”. These Paris Games must have a lasting impact on younger generations. Faced with growing individualism and fear of others, I hope that in our country there will be a culture of Paris in 2024.
I am an ardent promoter of sports and the values of Olympism: Thus, since 2017, I have increased the budget of the Ministry of Sports by 57%. This is an important issue for the quality of everyday life in our region and for strengthening social ties. Sports are a fantastic means of educating our youth by teaching them rules, fair play, solidarity and mutual understanding.
But I’m depressed that I can’t meet the Olympic flame in Tarn. How to explain the stance of the IOC, which is asking for 180,000 euros per department for the transmission of the torch? This is an aberration! Especially since the asking price is the same everywhere even though our departments have very different budgets. Why ask the Tarn department for the same amount as Bouches-du-Rhône or Gironde, which have 4 to 5 times the resources?
To host the flame for a few hours, additional entertainment and security costs must be added to 180,000 euros.. Let’s not forget that this is certainly a very good operation for patrons of fire… The cost of carrying the Olympic flame is therefore a luxury that departments with low population density cannot afford. However, Tarn is strongly committed to the Olympic spirit by activating new actions to make Paris 2024 the Games for all of France and our territories!
I’m working on this with the elected officials of the department: Tarn, tagged Land of gameshe will be a strong player at the Olympics by establishing “Club 2024 – Tarn Sports Village” during the summer in partnership with the Departmental Olympic and Sports Committee, 40 sports committees and 160 Tarn clubs.
Our goal? Introducing sports activities, giving young people a taste for sports, allow the people of Tarn to progress through sports and allow the elderly to fight against the loss of physical autonomy.
Go even further, in September, for the purpose of developing sports practice, we will award €40 to all young people in the 11- to 16-year-old class to enroll in the club of their choice. Our checkbook for young people, with a total value of €230, facilitates access to sports, culture and free time! It is unique in Occitania.
So no, the flame will not pass into the Tarn. But, yes, the Games in Paris mobilize us. Yes, they bring hope, innovation and a huge opportunity for France, our territories and the Tarn! Let’s revive the spirit of the Olympic Games together, surpassing ourselves and brotherhood, 365 days a year!”
On the page Worldsaid sports historian Patrick Clastres : “The passing of the flame is not an event, except for those who carry it.”
Philippe MOURET
Our moods:
Mood: Censorship, the minister is “much too small” compared to literature
Mood/Mobility: ZFE, or the art of “putting the cart before the horse”
Bicycles / scooters: This “soft mobility” has become an urban scourge