Florent Manaudou, a four-time Olympic medallist swimmer, will be the first Torchbearer in France for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games as the Olympic flame arrives in Marseille on 8 May aboard the Belem. Manaudou's sister, also an Olympic champion, was the first French Torchbearer in Greece during the flame lighting ceremony.

The Olympic flame for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 will reach French shores on Wednesday 8 May following its Mediterranean voyage from Greece to Marseille aboard the renowned three-masted vessel Belem.

Upon the Olympic torch's arrival in the historic port of Marseille, Olympic medallist Florent Manaudou will have the distinction of being the first Torchbearer in France for Paris 2024.

Here's a detailed look at Florent Manaudou and the commencement of the Olympic Torch Relay in France.

Who is Florent Manaudou?

Florent Manaudou, aged 33, is a swimmer and four-time Olympic medallist.

At the age of 21, the French athlete stunned the swimming community by clinching the 50m freestyle gold at London 2012. He was the youngest swimmer in the final. His sister, Laure Manaudou, an Olympic champion in the 400m freestyle at Athens 2004, rushed out to congratulate him poolside in one of the Games' most unforgettable moments.

Four years later at Rio 2016, the Villeurbanne native secured silver in both the 50m freestyle and the 4x100m freestyle relay. After a hiatus to play for the Aix-en-Provence handball team, Florent returned to the pool at Tokyo 2020 and claimed silver in the 50m freestyle.

In addition to his Olympic accolades, the swimming sensation boasts eight world championship titles and 11 European championship titles.

His sister, also a world and European champion, was the inaugural French Torchbearer for Paris 2024 following the lighting of the Olympic flame in Olympia, Greece on 16 April.

"I'm thrilled to be the first Torchbearer in France," said Manaudou. "Following in my sister's footsteps, who already had this privilege in Olympia, Greece, and doing it in a city that holds special meaning for me, Marseille, makes this occasion even more special.

"I look forward to being at the Vieux Port and celebrating with the public the return of the Games to France after a century!"

When will Florent Manaudou Carry the Olympic Torch in Marseille?

The Olympic flame is currently aboard the Belem and is scheduled to arrive in Marseille on 8 May.

The illustrious three-masted ship will make its appearance off the city's coast around 11:00 local time, commencing its parade of the northern and southern harbours alongside 1,024 local boats until 17:00.

At 19:00, the ship will enter the Old Port, where Manaudou will receive the Olympic flame and carry it to the Olympic Torch Relay cauldron, igniting it at 19:30.