The Paris 2024 Olympics cauldron design for the Torch Relay has been unveiled. Designed by Mathieu Lehanneur, it will be lit at each stopover city in France by the last Torchbearer of the day.

The Olympic Torch Relay unfolds as a compelling narrative depicted through three profoundly symbolic objects emblematic of the Games. Originating from Olympia, the Paris 2024 Torch embarks on a journey across Greece, paying homage to the Games’ ancient roots. 

Its next appearance in Marseille on 8 May will herald the commencement of four months of celebratory events commemorating the Games in France. As the Torch reaches French territory, 10,000 Olympic Torchbearers will illuminate the regions, bridging the Games’ spirit with the French populace. In every stopover city, the day’s final Torchbearer will ignite the cauldron at the celebration venue, culminating in vibrant festivities.

The transition from the Torch Relay cauldrons to the Olympic Cauldron will occur solely on the closing day of the Relay, 26 July, 2024, marking the commencement of the Olympic Games. The Torch, cauldron, and Paralympic cauldron will feature in the Paralympic Torch Relay, commencing from Stoke Mandeville in England, the renowned birthplace of Paralympic sport.

Upon reaching France in Calais on 25 August, the Paralympic Flame will be distributed into twelve Flames across the nation, each illuminating a cauldron in the stopover cities before converging to ignite the Paralympic cauldron in Paris on 28 August, 2024. “Each day, during the Torch Relay, the lighting of the cauldron by the last Torchbearer of the day will be a highlight,” said Tony Estanguet, President of Paris 2024.

“In each stopover city, the cauldron will be a real meeting point to round off these days of celebration and communion in style. We’re inviting everyone to join us there, to share in all the emotions we’ll be experiencing with the Torch Relay and to celebrate, together, the arrival of the Games in France. We can’t wait!”

Crafted by French designer Lehanneur, the Torch Relay cauldron is inspired by the Torch’s essence, integrating its distinctive elements: the simplicity of form, vibrant colours, and the fluidity of water’s texture. With a singular base, three supporting structures, and an almost ethereal ring, the cauldron’s pristine form mirrors the graceful curves of the Torch, symbolising the spirit of peace embodied by the Flame and the Games.

The cauldron shares the radiant hue of the Torch, blending gold, silver, and bronze tones, featuring a glossy finish on its lower sections and a matte finish on the upper sections. “The Torch, the Torch Relay cauldron and the Olympic Cauldron are not separate objects,” said Lehanneur.

“They are chapters in one great story. Each embodies the spirit of the Paris Games. The cauldron takes the form of a ring of fire suspended above a liquid surface. Both pure and magical, it seems to float and is reflected in its metallic base. If the Torch is a sacred fire that is passed on, the cauldron is the object around which we gather and which unites our energies.”

From the Mediterranean Sea to the Seine, spanning the journey from the Torch Relay through the Opening Ceremony stage of the Olympic Games and competition venues, the significance of water in the Paris 2024 Torch Relay and Games is represented by wave and ripple effects adorning both the Torch and the cauldron’s base.

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Nigeria’s sports minister,  John Owan Enoh has congratulated  Team Nigeria athletes for their impressive performances so far at the World Relays Championship in the Bahamas.

The Nigerian athletes secured qualification for the 4×400 mixed relays and 4×400 men’s relay event of the 2024 Olympics Games in Paris.

 John Owan Enoh stated, “I am immensely proud of our Team Nigeria athletes for their exceptional performance at the World Relays Championship, which has secured two qualification tickets for the Olympic Games already. Their dedication, determination, and resilience have brought honor to our nation, and I congratulate them on this milestone.”

The Nigerian men’s 4x400m quartet of Dubem Nwachukwu, Dubem Amene, Sikiru Adeyemi, and Chidi Okezie showcased their prowess on the track, clocking a remarkable time of 3:01.70 to secure qualification for the Olympic Games.

This achievement marks the fastest time by a Nigerian male 4x400m team since the Bronze-winning team of James Godday, Musa Audu, Saul Weigopwa, and Enefiok Udo-Obong at the Athens 2004 Olympics.

In the mixed 4x400m relay event, Team Nigeria’s quartet of Samuel Ogazi, Ella Onojuvwevwo, Chidi Okezie, and Esther Elo Joseph delivered an impressive performance, finishing second in their heat with a time of 3:13.79. This outstanding performance secured their spot at the Olympics for the second consecutive time.

 John Owan Enoh emphasized the importance of continued hard work and perseverance as Team Nigeria athletes aim for further Olympic qualification tickets in their remaining events. He expressed confidence in their abilities and encouraged them to strive for excellence as they represent Nigeria on the global stage.

As Team Nigeria celebrates this momentous achievement,  Owan Enoh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting and empowering Nigerian athletes to excel in their respective sports, and be in the best shape towards the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Kuwait’s Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah has been banned for 15 years from all positions within the International Olympic Committee over ethics breaches, the Olympic ruling body has decided.

In a letter seen by Reuters, IOC Director General Christophe De Kepper informed all IOC members of the Executive Board decision to sanction the once-powerful Sheikh Ahmad over a court case in Switzerland.

“The IOC Executive Board decided to confirm the seriousness of the breaches of ethical principles by Sheikh Ahmad Al-Sabah, including a betrayal of his IOC Member’s oath, as well as the seriousness of the damage to the IOC’s reputation, which has jeopardised its interests,” De Kepper said in the May 3 letter.

“And consequently, to sanction Sheikh Ahmad Al-Sabah by suspending all the rights, prerogatives and functions deriving from his IOC membership for a period of fifteen years starting from the date of the previous sanction decision by the IOC Executive Board on 27 July 2023.”

He was banned for three years last year over his alleged involvement in the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) elections, after the IOC approved recommendations issued by its ethics body.

A former OPEC secretary-general, Sheikh Ahmad was already self-suspended as a member of the IOC after being convicted by a Swiss criminal court of forgery in 2021, following which he also stepped down as president of the OCA.

Sheikh Ahmad was once one of the most influential people in sports politics, holding key positions on both the IOC as well as world soccer’s governing body FIFA. He was named Kuwait’s defence minister last year.

A former close ally of current IOC President Thomas Bach around the time the German lawyer ran for office in 2013, the Kuwaiti also led the Association of National Olympic Committees.

He was also in charge of the IOC’s purse — Olympic Solidarity — which financially supports athletes and national Olympic committees among others.

-Reuters