On the eve of the 2024 Olympic Games, 6 KEDGE alumni have been selected for an exceptional mission: to carry the Olympic flame across France. Thimothée Meurisse, Marie Maitrot, Yann Canivenq, Ayodele Ikuesan, Catherine Monghal and Chantal Abadie, all KEDGE graduates, had a memorable experience that underlines their commitment to sport and their attachment to the values of perseverance and excellence. This testimonial looks back at their selection and the emotions that accompanied their journey.

🔥 Tell us about your selection as the bearer of the Olympic Flame?

🤝 "My company Procter & Gamble (P&G) has been a global partner of the Olympic Games since 2010. The P&G France Olympic team put out a call for applications to P&G France and Benelux employees. Each P&G employee could apply by answering questions based on the values of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games that we represent in our professional and/or personal lives. I developed my file around sustainability, based on the actions I carry out within the P&G Paris Green Team, which I founded in 2022. The Paris 2024 Olympic Committee contacted me in January 2024 to inform me that I had been selected."

🌟 How did your visit go, and what anecdotes would you like to share with us?

"I had an appointment at 8:30 a.m., at the Île Rousse town hall, with the 8 other Olympic torchbearers, in the presence of the Olympic torch organizers, Madame la maire and the town council. We then donned the official Olympic torchbearer outfits and took part in a briefing on the morning's stages, the instructions to follow and to practice the "torch kiss" (the passing of the flame between the 2 torchbearers) with a training torch.

The 1st torch was lit at around 10 a.m. at the top of Ile Rousse, where there's a magnificent lighthouse with a breathtaking view. I was the 4th torchbearer. The flame was passed to me at around 10.30am.

It's quite impressive because you feel at the center of attention, between the two lines of 10 "runners" (the police who ensure the safety of the flame and its bearer) around you, the 2 motorcycles at the front for photos and video, the public and the convoy. Once my torch was lit, I took advantage of this unique moment to share it with all the people who had turned out in force for this event (the last time the Olympic flame passed through Corsica was in 1992 for the Albertville Winter Games)."

💬 Any advice for KEDGE students and graduates?

"For students: Make the most of your student life to learn, test, fail, retest and succeed whether during your projects, exchanges abroad, start-ups, professional and associative experiences."

"For graduates: keep learning and daring new things that make sense."

🔥 Tell us about your selection as Olympic Torchbearer?

✨ "It was my father who surprised me by sending in an application a year ago, highlighting my sporting background and commitments. I played a lot of competitive tennis, which enabled me to win a scholarship to study for 5 years in the United States, while playing for the university team. Following a serious injury, I had to give up tennis, but I discovered other sports such as running, trail running, triathlon and padel. I've also been involved in promoting access to sport for all, including children from disadvantaged neighborhoods and people with disabilities.
Out of thousands of applications, I was lucky enough tobe chosen at random to be one of the 5,000 candidates whose files were then evaluated by the Paris 2024 jury. It was at the end of all these stages that I was selected to carry the Olympic flame in Issoudun."

"When I found out I'd been selected, I was pleasantly surprised, as there were many other people who would have deserved to take part in the relay. I was more aware of the opportunity when I spoke about it to those around me, and everyone's reaction was 'but that's so great'!"

🌟 How did your passage go, and what anecdotes do you have to tell us?

"On the Issoudun relay, we were 17 relayers. We were summoned about two hours before the relay, to pick up our outfits, get to know each other and the briefing. Then we boarded the bus that took us to our respective relay points. The magnitude of the event became clear when we arrived at the start of the torch route, with crowds of people in the streets (schools, colleges, hospitals, Ehpad, shopkeepers).

Then the relay began, with at least two gendarmes at my side in the street. I waited for the previous torchbearer to make the "torch kiss", passing on the flame. Finally, it was my turn, surrounded by around twenty security people. I could jog or walk for 200m before passing the flame on to the next torchbearer. Then I boarded the collection bus. With the other torchbearers, we were all on another planet so strong was what we had just experienced." ✨

💬 Any advice for KEDGE students and graduates?

"I'd like to say that it's important to find a work/life balance and that sports and associative activities are sources of energy and motivation. What's more, they allow you to have incredible experiences (thank you Paris 2024!) and expand your network (we know how important it is!)." 🤝

🔥 Tell us about your selection as the bearer of the Olympic Flame?

📱 " The LVMH group launched several "sporting" challenges via the United Heroes app in the run-up to the 2024 Olympics. One of them, "THE GLOWING TORCH", allowed employees to apply to become an Olympic torchbearer. After an initial selection based onsporting involvement, promotion of Olympic values and motivation, I was contacted in early January to confirm my participation. In mid-March, I was informed of the day and department to which I would be assigned. A month later, I received the time and the town or village where I would be carrying the flame. It was only a few days before the relay that I knew my exact position and the precise time of my passage, so that I could warn my loved ones."

🌟 How did your passage go, and what anecdotes do you have to tell us?

"On the day of the relay, we were expected at the "relay center" about an hour before the start. The staff welcomed us warmly, showing us to a table with our name and the official relay outfit. After a briefing on the history of the flame and good practice, I knew I'd be the 3rd torchbearer on the course, position A03. A few minutes before the start, we took a shuttle bus to the starting point and took a few group photos. At our position, we picked up our torches and, after a "Torch Kiss" with the previous relay runner, I began my 200-meter run of pure bliss, flanked by an impressive convoy of CRS, Gendarmes and plainclothes military personnel. At the end of my relay, a second "Torch Kiss" passed the flame to the next runner. Once the stage was over, we were able to share a few moments with the public. Back at the relay center, we received a souvenir, "The Heart of the Torch", a central ring of the torch. A beautiful souvenir and a unique experience that will stay with us forever!

A memorable anecdote: the first torchbearer of the day couldn't make it. To replace him, a surprise was offered to one of the members of the support team, who was from the region. It was at the last moment, a few minutes before the start, that he heard the news and was greatly moved." ✨

💬 Any advice for KEDGE students and graduates?

"This moment will always be engraved in my memory and reminded me of the importance of perseverance, commitment and community. To all of you, I want to say: seize every opportunity, meet every challenge with passion, and never forget that we are part of something bigger. Your commitment and determination will take you far. Let's continue to proudly represent KEDGE's values and inspire others." 💡

🔥 Tell us about your selection as Olympic Torchbearer?

"I was proposed at the time of the call for candidatures but because of my political commitment, this candidature had not been retained. Since then, the IOC and Paris 2024 have made a waiver for all athletes with a political commitment so that they can carry the flame and not be "penalized". It would have been a shame to put aside several years of training and sacrifices to become top-level athletes and Olympians because of a local political commitment.

When I found out I'd been selected, I felt a great deal of pride and recognition too. I'm coming off an intense season in which I gave everything to qualify for what would have been my 3rd Olympics. It was a difficult comeback after a 5-year "break" during which I had two children by Caesarean section. As I learn that I'll be taking part in this historic event, I'm exhausted by all the effort I've put in this season, but I'm also very proud to have come back in a top 15 at the French championships." 🏅

🌟 How did your passage go, and what anecdotes do you have to tell us?

"The torch route took place in the 18th and 17th arrondissements of Paris, after a 5:45 a.m. rendezvous with all the torchbearers, we headed for the various relay crossings. I passed my high school, then we were just a few meters from my old college... then Montmartre... I was quite moved to pass by these different places again and meet friends, neighbors and club colleagues. Carrying the flame where you grew up is pretty extraordinary!

I didn't know who would be present for my route, so I was happy every time I recognized a familiar face. My relatives, friends, former training colleagues, a former coach, neighbors.... I was happy to share this unique moment with them!" ✨

💬 Any advice for KEDGE students and graduates?

"What I loved about Kedge is the diversity of the students' and graduates' backgrounds, it' s a real richness. We look forward to meeting you!

Students: make the most of your studies to learn and meet people from all walks of life!

To the graduates: continue to enjoy your professional careers!"

🔥 Tell us about your selection as Olympic Torch Bearer?

✊ "I sent in my application last summer on the consumer website of my bank, Banque Populaire Méditerranée. The BPCE group was the official sponsor of the relay, and invited its customers to say why they'd like to carry the Olympic Flame. I didn't really believe in it, but I was drawn with others, then confirmed thanks to my "history" as a volunteer, for my passion and commitment to sport. I'm a member of associations that defend and promote the place of women in sport, for the development of practice, media coverage, the governance of bodies, the evolution of mentalities, and of course for the social and economic impact of Sport: Femix' Sports at national level and more specifically Femmes de Sport #jesuislegitime in Marseille.

🌟 How did your time here go, and what anecdotes do you have to tell us?

🔥 Tell us about your selection as an Olympic Torchbearer?

🌟 "Participating in one way or another in the Olympic Games has always been a dream of mine, ever since childhood. When Paris was awarded the 2024 Olympics in 2017, I decided to return to KEDGE BS at the start of the 2018 academic year, to follow the ISEM (International Sport and Event Management) Master's program. I was already a graduate, class of 1995.

Since January 2022, I've been working for the British start-up OnePlan, who recruited me to lead the project they won by tender to create a platform dedicated to planning Olympic operations, in 2D and 3D. As an Official Supporter of Paris 2024, OnePlan was awarded four places to carry the Olympic flame, and one place for the Paralympic flame. Paul Foster, my CEO, suggested I carry the Olympic flame in August 2023, knowing that the other three slots were reserved for the company's three founders. They wanted to reward me for my investment and the success of the project. One of my colleagues was also chosen to carry the Paralympic flame.

🌟 What was your experience like, and what anecdotes would you like to share with us?

"I was very moved because this opportunity was unexpected, and exceeded my wildest dreams. Not only did I have the chance to work for the organization of the Olympic Games, but I was also going to carry the Olympic flame. My joy and pride were immense, and at the same time I felt it was unreal.

I've lived in Marseille for a long time and I'm originally from the Hautes-Pyrénées. By chance, my relay took place in Céret, in the Pyrénées-Orientales region, which is equidistant from Marseille and Lourdes. It wasn't easy to get a fan club together in an unfamiliar town on a Wednesday morning in May, but my family made the trip to cheer me on.

The rendezvous was set in a gymnasium, at 10 a.m., and we were around ten relay runners that morning. People of all ages, several nationalities (a Spaniard, a Portuguese woman, a Chinese man to whom I passed the relay) and diverse backgrounds: the time spent together was very enriching. And the organization of the Paris 2024 Torch Relay team was perfect, right down to the last millimeter.

When the bus dropped me off at the start of my relay, I realized that I hadn't done any scouting at all: ahead of me was a fairly steep hill, up to a roundabout, and I couldn't see the end of the course. I thought maybe I'd walk the relay, just to enjoy the moment. And finally, when the torch was lit, I spontaneously smiled and started trotting the whole distance. For the record, my 13-year-old daughter managed to run the whole course while filming me, side by side with the Guardians of the Flame. She was really happy for me, and I was delighted to be able to share this exceptional moment with her. It's a magical memory for both of us, especially as you can see her on the video of my relay at times. She's very proud of it!

The reception from the spectators was incredible, you could feel the fervor of the people and a lot of goodwill, a real moment of pure happiness!

I'm extremely grateful to Paul Foster, of course, but also to the many people who have helped me throughout my career transition. And especially at KEDGE BS, I'd like to thank Lionel Maltese, Marion Depont and Philippe Amabile again for their support."

💬 Any advice for KEDGE students and graduates?

"Believe in your dreams, pursue them as much as you can! Sometimes it takes time to get there, sometimes you can't, but it's always worth a try! And when you succeed, what happiness and pleasure!"