Olympia - Short visit of the flame: Olympic fever in the border triangle
On the way to the Olympic Games in Paris, the Olympic Fire made a detour through the Three-Country-Region of France, Germany, and Luxembourg on Thursday. Several Thousands of spectators lined the approximately 1.2 kilometer long route. The Torch Relay started from the French Apach and crossed the German border to Perl in Saarland, where it then led over the Mosel Bridge into Luxembourg.
At a festive ceremony on the Mosel Promenade, the Grand Duke of Luxembourg Henri and his wife Grand Duchess Maria Teresa received the Flame. "It is a great joy and an great honor that the Olympic Flame is being carried through Schengen", said the Grand Duke. "Schengen is indeed the symbol of Europe, the symbol of free movement and also the symbol of European solidarity. And that is what the Olympic Movement stands for."
The last leg of the relay was carried by the former Luxembourg tennis player and three-time Olympic champion Anne Kremer. It was the second time that the Olympic Flame was a guest in the Grand Duchy: The last time was in 1948 for the Olympic Games in London.
"It is a day of joy for all of us", said the Saarland Minister President Anke Rehlinger (SPD). "Firstly, anticipation for the Olympics, but also 'a joy, because we are part of a historic event'. In younger times, it has never happened before that the Flame left the host country again before the end of the Games, she said. The Flame underscores 'the peaceful coexistence in our border region' for more than 70 years.
Even though the Fire was only a brief guest in the Three-Country-Region, the region used the occasion to celebrate. Around the Torch Relay, there were numerous events and activities, including citizens' festivals in Apach and Perl.
One of the many spectators who came to the Torch Relay was Horst Eisenhuth from Zweibrücken. "It's a unique opportunity", said the 82-year-old native of Saarbrücken on the Mosel Bridge. He found it great that France had managed to bring the Flame to the Three-Country-Region. "This is the heart of Europe."
The Rhineland-Palatinate Minister President Malu Dreyer (SPD) was also present. "It couldn't be more symbolic", she said. "It's just great that the Flame comes into this border region Schengen. It confirms the work of the border region, the metropolitan region, the partners, that we stand together in friendship", she told the German Press Agency. Olympia stands as an idea for friendship, for peace, for fair play. That is palpable today. From Rhineland-Palatinate, there are likely to be around 15 athletes at the start in Paris.
After the ceremony, the Olympic Flame left Schengen again. Its way led it to the Robert-Schuman-House in Scy-Chazelles and then to Metz as the last station of the day. The Olympic Games in Paris take place from July 26 to August 11.
The Fire was kindled in the ancient city of Olympia in mid-April. Subsequently, it was taken by ship across the Mediterranean to Marseille. Since its arrival on May 8 and until the opening of the Games, it has been carried by more than 10,000 Torchbearers through over 400 French cities. In Germany, it was also on a stopover on the Wednesday in Weil am Rhein in Baden-Württemberg.
On Thursday, there was a lot of History and Symbolism in the making. Schengen is one of the most famous villages in Europe. Forty years ago, Germany, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands agreed on the gradual dismantling of border controls there, on board an anchored passenger ship. The Schengen Agreement has been joined by other EU countries.
The Saarlanders fondly remember their own Olympic history. In 1952, the country participated in the Summer Olympics in Helsinki with its own team of 36 athletes. They could not win any medals at the first and only Olympic participation of Saarland. Since January 1957, the country has been part of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Rehlinger also stated that the Saarland would be represented at the Olympics this year. In total, around ten athletes will be participating, including the Paralympics. Notable names are Triathlete Tim Hellwig and Marathon Runner Richard Ringer. "We have a beautiful calling card that we can present there", she said.
Citizens' Festival Stage 42
The Olympic Fire made a detour through the Schengen area, a symbol of Europe's free movement and solidarity, during its journey to the Olympic Games in Paris. The Torch Relay started in French Apach and crossed into Germany at Perl in Saarland, led over the Mosel Bridge into Luxembourg. The Grand Duke of Luxembourg received the Flame at a ceremony, praising its symbolism. Former Luxembourg tennis player Anne Kremer carried the last leg of the relay, a repeat of 1948 when the Flame visited for the London Olympics. Saarland Minister President Anke Rehlinger celebrated the unique event, highlighting the peaceful coexistence in the border triangle for over 70 years. Even Horst Eisenhuth, an 82-year-old spectator, found it great that France brought the Flame to Europe's heart. Rhineland-Palatinate Minister President Malu Dreyer was also present, celebrating the Flame's journey into the Schengen region.
The Fire visited the Robert-Schuman-House in Scy-Chazelles and Metz as the day's last stations. The Olympic Games in Paris are set from July 26 to August 11. The Fire was kindled in Olympia, then traveled by ship to Marseille and been carried by over 10,000 Torchbearers through France. Germany also had a stopover in Weil am Rhein. Schengen, known for its border control dismantlement agreement, hosted the Flame's detour. Saarland also shares this history, participating in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics with its own team of 36 athletes, although without any medals. Since then, Saarland has been part of the Federal Republic of Germany, and will be represented this year at the Olympics and Paralympics with around ten athletes, including Triathlete Tim Hellwig and Marathon Runner Richard Ringer.
