![Olympic torch begins journey across France after festive welcome in port city of Marseille WPXI [Video]](https://europenewsvideo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/mp_1024778_0_2AXY4F75FZOPE32TA44MK3R3WEjpg.jpg)
MARSEILLE, France — (AP) — Tens of thousands of people welcomed the Olympic torch Wednesday in the southern French city of Marseille, marking another milestone in the lead-up to the Summer Games in Paris.
French Olympic swimmer Florent Manaudou became the first torch carrier in France after the Olympic flame arrived in Marseille’s Old Port on a majestic three-mast ship from Greece for the welcoming ceremony amid tight security.
The ship sailed into Marseille’s old port with the French national anthem “La Marseillaise” echoing from the embankment and a French Air force flyover with planes first drawing the five Olympic rings and then the red-blue-white colors of the nation’s flag.
The ship docked on a pontoon resembling an athletics track and Manaudou carried the torch to mainland France. He handed it to French Paralympic sprinter Nantenin Keïta, who won a gold medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, to carry it to rapper Jul, …
![Europe’s far right groups launch unofficial campaign for the European Union elections Boston 25 News [Video]](https://europenewsvideo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/mp_1044148_0_Q2UH252E5VXMQ6TJM2JZXCJJLAjpg.jpg)
![French soldiers patrol New Caledonia after six people were killed in six days of riots • FRANCE 24 [Video]](https://europenewsvideo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/mp_1044289_0_0jpg.jpg)
![Knifeman shot dead by police while trying to burn down a synagogue ‘was Algerian, 29, who was due to be deported but had launched a legal appeal’ [Video]](https://europenewsvideo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/mp_1041255_0_850055390imagea721715954646865jpg.jpg)
![France imposes curfew in New Caledonia after unrest by people who have long sought independence WPXI [Video]](https://europenewsvideo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/mp_1035061_0_stationfallbackpng.jpg)