Members of an elite tactical unit of the French national police protect the Olympic flame, carried aboard the French 19th-century ship Belem, on its journey to France. The National Gendarmerie Intervention Group (NGIG) undertakes missions encompassing counterterrorism, hostage rescue, surveillance, protection of government officials, and targeting organized crime.
The highly protected Olympic flame arrived at the Old Port of Marseille, in Southern France, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Eleven thousand torchbearers will form a relay to celebrate the arrival of the Games in France, culminating in Paris on July 26, 2024.
The tiny Olympic flame is encased in a protective, windproof box aboard the Belem upon its arrival in Marseille, France. AFP via Getty Images An elite tactical force of the French national police protects the French 19th-century ship, Belem, carrying the Olympic flame. AFP via Getty Images The flame is guarded by dozens of officers from the counter-terrorism unit, the National Gendarmerie Intervention Group. AFP via Getty Images The National Gendarmerie Intervention Group’s missions include counterterrorism, hostage rescue, surveillance, protection of government officials, and targeting organized crime. REUTERS The Belem which is carrying the Olympic flame, is accompanied by other boats approaching Marseille. Getty Images Members of French National Gendarmerie Intervention Group (GIGN) guard the French 19th-century three-masted barque Belem. AFP via Getty Images The Patrouille de France aerobatics demonstration aircraft leave a tricolor trail of smoke in the sky above the Old Port in Marseille, southern France, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. AP The Belem, the three-masted sailing ship which is carrying the Olympic flame, is accompanied by other boats approaching Marseille, southern France, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. AP French 19th-century three-masted barque Belem (C) and the French Navy schooner “Belle Poule” (L) sail near the coast of Marseille. AFP via Getty Images A container ship with the Paris 2024 logo is docked, ahead of the arrival of the Belem. AP Crowds watch the Belem bringing the Olympic flame from Greece. AP The Olympic flame aboard the Belem. AFP via Getty Images The Patrouille de France aerobatics demonstration aircraft leave a tricolor trail of smoke in the sky above the Belem. Aventurier Patrick/ABACA/Shutterstock National Gendarmerie Intervention Group protects the Belem. REUTERS Fireworks are launched as the Belem enters the Old Port in Marseille, southern France. AP Crowds watching as the three-masted sailing ship, Belem, carrying the Olympic flame, enters Old Port in Marseille, France. AP Crowds watching as the three-masted sailing ship, Belem, carrying the Olympic flame, enters Old Port in Marseille, France. AP The Patrouille de France aerobatics demonstration aircraft leave a tricolor trail of smoke in the sky above Marseille. Frederic Munsch/SIPA/Shutterstock Fireworks are launched as the Belem enters the Old Port in Marseille, southern France. AP Fireworks are launched as the Belem enters the Old Port in Marseille, southern France. AFP via Getty Images The Patrouille de France aerobatics demonstration aircraft leave a tricolor trail of smoke in the sky above the Belem. REUTERS France’s President Emmanuel Macron shakes hands with spectators next to his wife Brigitte Macron during the Olympic Flame arrival ceremony. POOL/AFP via Getty Images Fireworks are launched as the Belem enters the Old Port in Marseille, southern France. AFP via Getty Images French rapper Julien Mari aka Jul holds the Olympic Flame at the Old Port. REUTERS The Patrouille de France aerobatics demonstration aircraft leave a tricolor trail of smoke in the sky above the Belem. REUTERS French rapper Julien Mari aka Jul lights the Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays cauldron, with an Olympic Torch during the Olympic Flame arrival ceremony at the Old Port, in Marseille. AFP via Getty Images The Belem ship carrying the Olympic flame, accompanied by other boats, approaching Marseille for the Paris 2024 Games. Denis Thaust/SOPA Images/Shutterstock 
