This past weekend, the Olympic Torch continued its journey to Paris, France, participating in a sulky ahead of the 2024 Summer Games. The ceremonial Torch Relay, which symbolises unity and peace as it travels through the host nation, has seen numerous equestrian connections in recent days.
Over its 68-day route to Paris, the torch made a stop at the Chantilly racecourse on Thursday, July 18, where jockey Sophie Chuette had the honour of being one of the torchbearers.
The following day, Friday, July 19, the flame was paraded to the Enghien-Soisy racecourse. Here, driver Camille Levesque joined torchbearer Brigitte Deydier, a silver medalist in judo from the 1988 Olympics, in a sulky pulled by a trotter named Harvest, who was dressed in the blue, white, and red colours of the nation. The trotting venue hosted celebrations at the end of the day, attracting a crowd of 10,000 eager spectators for sports, music, and entertainment.
"It's absolutely brilliant. When I was offered this opportunity two years ago, I immediately accepted and marked the date!" Levesque expressed this in a translated article from letrot.com. "It's an unforgettable moment, and I'm so fortunate to have experienced it. I'm also extremely proud of my horse, who remained calm. The sight of children waving as we entered the racecourse gives me chills."
On Sunday, July 21, the torch made its way to the grand trotting museum and training centre, Domaine de Grosbois, for another celebratory event. The torch-bearer was accompanied by several trotters on the track, as the relay began and continued to the castle, where festivities were enjoyed by approximately 7,000 attendees.