(1 Aug 2024)
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ASSOCIATED PRESS
Paris – 30 July 2024
1. Various of Olympic Cauldron at dusk
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Paris – 31 July 2024
2. Various of Olympic cauldron balloon flying in the air with people cheering and taking pictures
3. SOUNDBITE (French) Mathieu Lehanneur, designer of the Olympic cauldron balloon and torch:
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"It’s the first time that there is a cauldron like this, the first time that there is a cauldron that flies and the first time that there is an Olympic flame that is not a real flame. There were many many firsts. It’s true that from a creative and intellectual point of view, this was a very passionate moment in all its phases. Since the beginning we all wanted this idea to exist and we all started to imagine this balloon floating all over Paris, but there were many many challenges to address: technical, technological, regulations, security. I held my breath because we had verified, tested everything and we were confident but it was the big day and there were thousands of people watching us. I wasn’t relaxed at all, but the most important thing for me is that I discovered the finished cauldron at the same time as everyone else, because this object was too big for us to be able to test it before. If we were to do it somewhere in France or elsewhere, we couldn’t know someone wouldn’t take out their phone, film and post, so for reasons of confidentiality, to keep the surprise, we had never tested it in its entirety."
4. Various of French designer Mathieu Lehanneur sketching at his desk
5. Various of Lehanneur demonstrating how the mechanics of the torch
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Paris – 30 July 2024
6. People taking selfie with the Olympic cauldron balloon
7. Various of people taking pictures and enjoying a picnic in the Tuileries Gardens
8. Various of cauldron at dusk
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Paris – 31 July 2024
9. Various of cauldron in air
STORYLINE:
The night the Olympic and Paralympic cauldron first flew over Paris, its designer Mathieu Lehanneur held his breath: Nothing could go wrong.
The balloon, lit by the Olympic torch and set off into the sky, was a risk.
After all, it was the first time it had ever been tested in its entirety, Lehanneur told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
Some parts, like the balloon or the flame system, had been tested to ensure a smooth flight, but — with so much secrecy — never all together, making the balloon a bit of an Olympic-sized Hail Mary.
So when the golden balloon lit up the Paris skies, the cherry on top of Friday’s opening ceremony, it dazzled spectators.
As the French designer watched in awe, the world watched with him.
"The most important thing for me is that I discovered the finished cauldron at the same time as everyone else," said Lehanneur, who also designed the Olympic Torch.
For the first time in the history of the Games, the cauldron — a 7-meter (23-feet) diameter ring of fire supported by a giant air balloon — flew through the air.
His idea, inspired by the ancient Greek Olympic flame ceremony, was to represent freedom — one of the three words in the French national motto: "Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité."
"It’s the first time that there is a cauldron like this, the first time that there is a cauldron that flies and the first time that there is an Olympic flame that is not a real flame. There were many many firsts," said Lehanneur.
"There were many challenges."
The first hot air balloon flight in history was carried out by the Montgolfier brothers at Versailles in 1783.
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