At 102 years old, Melanie Berger-Volle is set to carry the Olympic torch through Saint-Etienne on June 22 as it makes its way to Paris for the upcoming Olympic Games. Despite concerns about the weight of the torch and her fragile shoulder, Berger-Volle is determined to lift it high, championing the values of friendship between peoples—values she defended during her time with the French Resistance in the Second World War.
A self-described “woman in the shadows” during the Occupation from 1940 to 1944, Berger-Volle was thrilled to be chosen for this honor. “I’ve always loved sport,” says the sprightly centenarian, who until recently enjoyed daily hour-long walks. Her passion for athletics runs in the family; she is the grandmother of gymnast Emilie Volle, who competed in the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.
Berger-Volle hopes to be a symbol for women “who have fought to play sport like men.” Her participation underscores the inclusive spirit of the Olympics, uniting people across generations and backgrounds. As the world prepares for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, her story inspires many to embrace the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect.
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Ex-French Resistance fighter, 102, set to carry Paris Olympic torch
cgtn.com
