Halle Berry to Snoop Dogg - The prominent torchbearers for Olympia 2024
A long journey is nearing its end: On April 16th of this year, the Olympic Fire was kindled in ancient Olympia - on the coming Friday (26. July), it will reach its goal for the ceremonial opening of the Summer Games in Paris. Around 11,000 people will then hold the Olympic Torch and have carried a small part of the way, as stated on the official website for the sporting event. Among them are actresses, sports legends, royals... and Snoop Dogg (52).
The Previous Bearers
The Olympic Torch made a headline-grabbing stop in the middle of May and added a glamorous touch to the already famous Film Festival in Cannes with its light. The Torch was carried by French Paralympics star Arnaud Assoumani (38) on the red carpet and then lifted ceremoniously by Delphine Ernotte (57), the President of France Télévisions and the European Broadcasting Union.
A month later, it made another round through Cannes - American actress Halle Berry (57) took turns carrying the Torch for a piece of the way along Boulevard de la Croisette. Among the other prominent Torchbearers that day were American sports stars Megan Rapinoe (39, soccer), Paul Rabil (38, lacrosse), and Shaun White (37, snowboarding).
Immediately afterward, the Fire then passed through the Principality of Monaco. Together with Princess Charlène (46) and her twins Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques (9), Prince Albert (66) received the Fire in front of the Prince's Palace and steered some meters of the way. For both of them, it must have been a special feeling - after all, they each have a past with Olympia. Princess Charlène competed as a swimmer at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, and Prince Albert raced as a bobsledder for Monaco - of course, at the Winter Games.
Football legend Thierry Henry (46) was also granted this honor. He carried the Torch over the famous Champs-Élysées in Paris a fortnight ago. For him, it was also an honor in multiple ways - as the coach of the French U23 football team, he would soon be in the medal competition himself. Another Arsenal legend preceded him: cult coach Arsène Wenger (74) had already been carrying the Olympic Fire through his hometown Strasbourg at the end of June.
Even the Oscar-nominated Salma Hayek (57) took part in the Torch Relay recently. She proudly posted a series of pictures on Instagram showing her with the Torch in the opulent corridors of Château de Versailles. Along with the pictures, she wrote: "Yesterday, I had the honor of carrying the Olympic Flame, a symbol of Light, Hope, Peace, and Unity. If you believe in these values, you can be sure that I had you with me on every step of the way."
These Stars are Still Joining In
For the last lap before the Opening Ceremony, the Starpower gathers again. So, American rapper Snoop Dogg (52) will be among the Torchbearers of the Olympic Torch. According to "Le Monde," the Music Star will carry the Torch through the streets of Saint-Denis, a suburb in the north of Paris, where the Olympic Stadium is located. Similarly, US colleague Pharrell Williams (51) has been announced as a Torchbearer by the organizers.
To the additional torchbearers, who are expected to carry the torch in the city on Friday, therefore also belong the French actress Laetitia Casta (46), the French rapper MC Solaar (55), and the Ukrainian ex-pole vault athlete Sergey Bubka (60).
- In addition to Snoop Dogg, American rapper Pharrell Williams (51) will also be a Torchbearer for the Olympic Torch in Paris.
- Before the Summer Games' opening ceremony in Paris, Halle Berry (57), an actress, will join the ranks of those carrying the Olympic Torch.
- Principal among those who have carried the Olympic Torch in Cannes is French Paralympics star Arnaud Assoumani (38), who was celebrated on the red carpet.
- The Olympic Torch was also carried by Delphine Ernotte (57), the President of France Télévisions and the European Broadcasting Union, during the Film Festival in Cannes.
- Prince Albert (66), along with his wife Princess Charlène (46) and their twins Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques (9), received the Olympic Fire in Monaco and participated in carrying it.
- At the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Princess Charlène competed as a swimmer, while Prince Albert raced as a bobsledder for Monaco in the Winter Games.
