The identity of the man who lit the Olympic flame on the night of the Games' opening ceremony is one of sport's best-kept secrets. The president of the Paris 2024 organizing committee, Tony Estanget, said a few days ago that the man who will be honoured with the Tazzi Chedest does not even know yet that he has been chosen for it.
Here are five of the contenders according to Reuters:
MARIE-JOSE PEREC
The 56-year-old legend is considered France's greatest Olympian of all time, with three gold medals in two Olympics.
Perec, who was born in Guadeloupe, won the 400m title at the 1992 Barcelona Games before achieving success in the 200m and 400m four years later in Atlanta.
She carried the torch in her native Guadeloupe, but Estangue said someone who has already carried it cannot be ruled out.
YOU ARE OMAS
The West African star of "The Untouchables" is one of the most beloved personalities in France. He also starred in the Netflix series Lupine, whose first season was the third most watched on the platform with almost 100 million viewers.
ZINEDINE ZIDAN
France's greatest footballer, who helped the Blues win their first world title on home soil in 1998 and European gold two years later. Zidane, whose parents are from Algeria, was born in Marseille.
He was tipped as the favourite to bring the Olympic flame to Marseille after his boat trip from Greece but ultimately did not take part.
THOMAS PESKE
The Frenchman is Europe's most experienced astronaut with almost 400 days spent in space - and probably many more in the media due to his huge popularity in the country.
SURVIVED THE 13 NOVEMBER 2015 ATTACKS
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said she decided to back the Olympic bid in an attempt to lift the spirits of Parisians after Islamist militants killed 130 people in the Nov. 13, 2015, terror attacks in Paris. It would be fitting to see one or more survivors of the violence light the Olympic flame on Friday. | BGNES
