- Rugby stars rang the bell after winning their gold medals
- Now it’s the turn of the track and field stars, including Noah Lyles
- The Bell will become an iconic part of Olympic Games history
The Stade de France has been transformed from a rugby stadium to the home of the track and field events at the Paris Olympics, but it still has one important symbol: the large victory bell at one end of the pitch.
Originally used only by rugby winners, the bell is now also rung by athletics champions. It is one of the highlights of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
The bell, which bears the inscription ‘Paris 2024’, is located at the edge of the track at the iconic location.
After the Games, the clock will be moved to Notre Dame Cathedral as part of the renovation, after it was nearly destroyed by fire in 2019.
The fire caused severe damage to the historic cathedral, causing the spire and much of the roof to collapse.
Extensive restoration work was required to preserve the iconic building.
Once the restoration is complete, the bell used during the Paris Olympics will be hung in one of the cathedral’s bell towers, so that the sound of Olympic glory will be heard from Notre Dame for years to come.
Noah Lyles of the United States rings the bell after winning the men’s 100 meters final in Paris
Rugby players were the first to ring the bell when the Stade de France hosted the Sevens competition before athletics took over at the famous venue
Since the fire, the bells of Notre Dame have rung only twice: for the funeral of former French President Jacques Chirac in 2020 and to commemorate the first anniversary of the fire.
“In a way, Paris 2024 is helping to rebuild Notre-Dame. Part of the Games and the Olympic spirit will remain in Notre-Dame forever,” said Stade de France manager Pierre-André Lacout.
During the rugby tournament, the bell became a photo classic for the winners.
The French men’s team celebrated after winning gold in the men’s tournament, with nearly 70,000 fans in attendance.
The US women’s team posed with the bell after winning the bronze medal and also got the chance to ring the bell.
Gold medalist Yaroslava Mahuchikh also rang the bell, which will be moved to Notre Dame Cathedral after the Olympics
The bell had only been rung twice since the devastating fire at Notre Dame in 2019 before athletes like Dominica’s Thea Lafond were able to ring it in victory
The tradition is now carried on by athletes on the track, with only gold medalists having the honor of ringing the bell. Among them are Noah Lyles, the star of the 100-meter sprint, and Yaroslava Mahuchikh, the Ukrainian high jumper.
The bell was made in Normandy, at the Fonderie Cornille Havard in Villedieu-les-Poêles-Rouffigny.
Notre Dame typically has 10 bells, with the larger historic bells weighing between two and three tons.
Once the cathedral spire is restored, the Olympic bell will join the smaller bells.
Tony Estanguet, head of the Paris 2024 organising committee, praised the ringing of the bells as a way to engage supporters and integrate Parisian culture into each location.
“It’s just for the gold medal winners and it’s a great way for them to celebrate,” Estanguet said.