Antony Couffe

Carrying the flame, it means transmitting all the Olympic values : going the extra mile, community, union during effort, freedom.

All the values above gathered in an unique symbol, hope-carrier for all nations, all women, children and men from the whole world.

Younger I have been fascinated by the lighting of the flame in Atlanta 1996, which had been realized by Cassius Clay himself, also known as Mohammed Ali, at that time affected by the Parkinson disease. Without forgetting Cathy Freeman, runner of the 400m (my favorite distance) in Sydney 2000. I've been practicing athletics at national level for 8 years (twice champion of France), the Olympics Games have for me a really particular meaning. I think about the rings representing the five continents, the 4 medals of Jesse Owens in 1936 on 100m, 200m, Long Jump, and 4x100m, the victory of Maurice Green in 2000 on 100m, and Usain Bolt breaking the World record in Beijing 2008.

The Olympic Games shows, by the diversity of the disciplines which are represented, and champion or not, it is not necessarily being the fastest or the strongest which is important. There is space for everybody, whatever he is agile, accurate, tough, strong, light, powerful, and every adjective which can be applied to the practice of sports.

This light which never blows out, passes from one hand to another, a communion in a common aim.

For all these reasons I want to be candidate to carry the Olympic Torch.