The Olympic Torch is making its way from Greece to France in preparation for the upcoming games in late July. Among the 90 torchbearers bringing the flame through the picturesque countryside between Thouars and Niort was French violinist Renaud Capuçon.
Other notable torchbearers in this segment included Clément Garreau, French judo champion; Thomas Courjault, captain of a Regional level 1 football team; and Stéphanie Rose, who uses sports to combat rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, several celebrities participated, such as Sébastien Bichon, a Sydney Paralympic Games cycling medalist now undertaking various sporting challenges, and Fabrice Chagnon, the French and European land sailing champion.
Capuçon, a distinguished soloist, has performed with prestigious orchestras such as the Berliner Philharmoniker, Boston Symphony, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Filarmonica della Scala, London Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, Orchestre de Paris, Orchestre National de France, and Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France.
In addition to his solo career, Capuçon leads three festivals: the Sommets Musicaux de Gstaad since 2016, the Easter Festival in Aix-en-Provence, which he founded in 2013, and the Rencontres Musicales Festival in Evian, which began in 2023. He has also served as the Artistic Director of the Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne since 2021.
“What a joy and honor to have been chosen to carry the Olympic flame yesterday in Niort!” Capuçon exclaimed. “Thank you all for this amazing and timeless moment.”
“[I am] happy to have been part of this beautiful Paris 2024 Olympic Games celebration,” he added.
