December 31, 1967 was synonymous with celebration twice in Thiers. A distinguished guest was added to the traditional New Year’s Eve: the Olympic flame. She made a remarkable visit to the city of cutlery, amassing a crowd despite the rain.
An unexpected event
Arrived straight from Saint-Étienne, the torch made a detour in Chabreloche, Celles-sur-Durolle and La Monnerie-le-Montel, before arriving in Thiers then in Grenoble, for the opening of the Olympic Winter Games February 6, 1968. Paul Sabatier, former player of the Vaillante basketball then president of the Athletic sports of Thiers (SAT) merged with the Vaillante, had been contacted by the town hall of Thiers like the other sports associations of the city. “Each collective had to select eight people, within it, who would carry the flame over a kilometer,” he explains. When I found out that I was one of the carriers, I was very proud. It was unexpected, ”he admits, all smiles. “To be chosen by his friends is an additional recognition”, according to the former basketball player. The torchbearers were numerous, also representing the SAT football, rugby, women’s basketball, the Ski club as well as the Vélo club.
The day … SAT Football (Puy-de-Dôme) rocked the huge Monegasque Rock in 1964
Paul Sabatier still remembers his itinerary. “I picked up the flame at the Roche-Noire bend, near Château-Gaillard. I carried it to the junction of the road to Saint-Rémy-sur-Durolle, at a place called the three benches, ”he explains. Bikers opened the road to the players and the road was reserved for them. The former athlete then handed the torch to SAT basketball.
“We imagined ourselves in an Olympic stadium”
“By carrying the flame, we imagined entering an Olympic stadium,” says Paul Sabatier. He adds: “It is a privilege to seize it. I will surely never have the opportunity to do it again one day.
“This is the first time that the flame has passed through Thiers. So, when you’re lucky enough to have it, you don’t let it go ”.
Paul Sabatier (empty)
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The torch then arrives at Place Antonin-Chastel, to the applause of the inhabitants. Then he was seized by Henri Sauvagnat of the Ski club. A ceremony follows in the presence of several personalities. Were present in particular Mr. Migeon, sub-prefect, Mr. Sauzedde, deputy mayor, and Mr. Dossat, regional delegate for Youth and Sports. “I brought my stone to the building,” says Paul Sabatier proudly. This day marked me a lot, it was a very important moment in my life. I will never forget it, ”he says.
The former basketball player even says that the passage of the flame sometimes comes back to the heart of the discussions, especially during a quiz organized during the Association Forum about three years ago. The flame therefore never goes out.
Janna Beghri
From the Antwerp Olympics to the streets of Thiers. The former thiernois athlete Henri Dozolme, who notably represented France in throws during the Olympic Games in Antwerp in 1920, raised the Olympic colors on Place Antonin-Chastel. “He was surprised to have been chosen, and honored to participate in the ceremony of the passage of the flame”, confides Laurent Dozolme, his grandson. A way of representing Thiers and France, again.
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