Videos of a ceremonial torch lighting went viral on social media this week ahead of the Paris Olympics. The clip — purportedly of the Olympic torch being lit at a Paris church — was also shared by business leader Harsh Goenka. It however appears to be a video from 'The Explosion of the Car' and the ‘Flight of the Dove’ ceremonies in Italy.
“Lighting of the Olympic torch, from a Paris church. Spectacular!” the RPG Group Chairman wrote on social media.
A reverse Google search as well as perusal of older articles however suggest that the church visuals were taken during Easter Sunday celebrations in the city of Florence last year. According to a Huffington Post article covering the event in 2023, the ‘Explosion of the Chariot’ and the ‘Flight of the Dove’ takes place annually — a nod to the fire generated using stones given to Florentine Captain Pazzino dei Pazzi by the Holy Sepulchre.
Several X users were quick to fact-check Goenka even as others lauded the ‘spectacular display of French culture and heritage’. Goenka however appeared to have realised the misplaced attribution — ruefully telling one user that he knew the clip was from Florence.
“The first part is the Duomo in Florence Saar - not Paris,” pointed out one user.
“…and the second part is from a Rammstein concert from Germany,” added a second.
“Amazing! Highlighting French history and artistry!” exulted a third.
The opening ceremony for the Paris Olympics began on Friday afternoon with around 7,000 competitors parading down the River Seine past the historic monuments of the French capital. The event is taking place outside the main stadium for the first time in Olympic history — with some 300,000 people watching in person from specially built stands on the river banks. Another 200,000 are likely to be viewing the ceremony from overlooking balconies and apartments.
(With inputs from agencies)
