Marie-José Pérec and Teddy Riner Ignite the Cauldron for Paris 2024
In a spectacular conclusion to the final Group Relay, French sports legends Marie-José Pérec and Teddy Riner stepped across the grand water basin at the Jardin des Tuileries to light a groundbreaking Olympic cauldron. Designed by French creator Mathieu Lehanneur, this innovative cauldron features a new-generation hot-air balloon carrying a ring of fire.
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Marie-José Pérec
During the day, the Cauldron remains grounded, but each evening at sunset, it will ascend into the Paris sky, visible from afar due to its monumental yet light design.
The Cauldron’s Daytime Presence
The Olympic Cauldron has transformed one of Paris’s most iconic views. Installed in the Jardin des Tuileries, it stands in alignment with the Louvre, its Pyramid, the La Concorde obelisk, and the Champs-Élysées with the Arc de Triomphe.
Embracing the “Games Wide Open” ethos, Paris 2024 is offering the public a chance to see the Cauldron up close with free ticketing. Starting Saturday, July 27, and continuing throughout the Games, 10,000 visitors each day will have the opportunity to approach the Cauldron, with 300 admissions available per quarter-hour. The Jardin des Tuileries will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., accommodating up to 3,000 people at once, before the Cauldron returns to the sky at nightfall.
EDF’s Fuel-Free Flame
For the first time in Olympic history, the Cauldron’s flame will be fuel-free, thanks to Paris 2024 Premium Partner EDF. Utilizing a mix of mist and light, the flame will be powered solely by electricity. EDF is providing 100% renewable electricity produced in France for the Games venues, including the Cauldron.
The Cauldron’s ring of fire, nearly 7 meters in diameter, features 40 LED spotlights and is illuminated by 200 high-pressure misting nozzles. EDF has ensured a consistent flow of electricity and water 60 meters above ground for the Cauldron’s airborne display.
The Final Chapter of the Olympic Torch Relay
The Torch, Relay Cauldron, and Olympic Cauldron, all designed by Mathieu Lehanneur, share a metallic hue that combines gold, silver, and bronze. Pérec and Riner’s lighting of the Cauldron marked the end of the Torch Relay and the official start of the Paris 2024 Games.
Symbolizing the French national motto, the Cauldron bridges the gap between earth and sky, representing Liberty alongside the Torch’s Equality and the Relay Cauldron’s Fraternity.
A Legacy of Flight
The Paris 2024 Cauldron connects with a rich history of aviation. In 1783, Paris saw humanity’s first flight with the Montgolfier brothers’ hot-air balloon. The Jardin des Tuileries was also the site of Jacques Charles’s hydrogen balloon flight and Henri Giffard’s captive balloon invention, marking significant milestones in ballooning history.
Quotes from Paris 2024 and Designers
Tony Estanguet, President of Paris 2024, emphasized the Cauldron’s role as a symbol of daring and innovation, reflecting the Games’ slogan, “Games Wide Open.”
Designer Mathieu Lehanneur described the Cauldron as a “light, magical, and unifying” beacon, made of light and water, representing the culmination of the Olympic journey.
EDF Chairman and CEO Luc Rémont praised the “electric revolution” of the Cauldron’s flame, highlighting its contribution to a sustainable and responsible Games.
Laurence des Cars, President and Director of the Louvre, noted the Jardin des Tuileries’ historical significance and its role in showcasing technological innovation and public engagement.
