French Olympians Marie-Jose Perec and Teddy Riner Ignite Paris Games

French Olympic legends Marie-Jose Perec and Teddy Riner lit the cauldron at the Paris Games opening ceremony. Perec, a three-time gold medalist in athletics, and Riner, a multiple gold medalist in judo, were chosen for the honor, symbolizing gender parity. Both athletes have roots in Guadeloupe.

French Olympic legends Marie-Jose Perec and Teddy Riner illuminated the Paris Games by lighting the Olympic cauldron during a spectacular opening ceremony. Perec, 56, who secured three gold medals in athletics across two Olympics, was a favorite to light the cauldron near the Louvre Museum.

Riner, actively competing in Paris, boasts two individual judo gold medals and one team gold. 'A man and a woman for the first parity Games was an obvious choice. I waited this morning to tell them,' stated Tony Estanguet, Paris 2024 organizing committee president.

Regarded as France's greatest summer Olympian, Perec clinched the 400 meters at the 1992 Barcelona Games and later achieved a remarkable 200-400 double in Atlanta. Similarly, Riner, aiming for another gold this year, was born in Guadeloupe. Both athletes carried torches in the Jardin des Tuileries, joined by sports icons like Zinedine Zidane, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, and Nadia Comaneci.

(With inputs from agencies.)