Videos of unrelated events going viral linking to the 2024 Paris Olympics Torch Lighting

The viral video shows compilation of two separate events unrelated to 2024 Olympic torch lighting ceremony 

The Summer Olympics are set to begin in Paris on 26 July, sparking heated debate on social media. Meanwhile, a video showing a flare being lit inside a cathedral, followed by fireworks outside is going viral on social media. Those sharing the video have claimed that it shows the Lighting of the Olympic torch, from a París church. 

The caption of the viral post reads, ” Lighting of the Olympic torch from París church. Spectacular “

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Fact Check-

We started our investigation with the help of a keyword search on Google, whose results led us to an article published on the official Olympic website detailing the traditional torch lighting ceremony. According to the article, the Olympic flame is ceremonially lit months before the Games’ opening at the ancient site of Olympia, Greece. The Olympic flame has been a symbol of peace and friendship among nations since antiquity. To ensure its purity, the flame is always lit by the high priestess using the sun’s rays focused by a parabolic mirror, after which it is transferred to the first torchbearer to begin the Olympic Torch Relay.

For the 2024 Paris Olympics, the official lighting ceremony was streamed live on the Olympic YouTube channel on April 16. A France24 report confirmed that the sacred flame was indeed lit in Olympia, Greece, by Greek actress Mary Mina, who played the role of the high priestess. Due to cloudy skies, a backup flame was used instead of a parabolic mirror. The Olympic torch arrived in Marseille, France, on May 8 and is reportedly now in the C’Chartres area of France, south west of Paris.

When we observed the viral video carefully, we found that it featured two distinct segments. The first segment shows a priest lighting a flare inside a cathedral, followed by a device carrying the flame towards the door. The second segment shows outdoor fireworks at night.

We found that the first part of the video is from the “Scoppio del Carro” (Explosion of the Cart) event held every Easter Sunday in Florence, Italy. According to a video description from April 2021, this event involves a priest lighting a device that then flies out and back in. The official website of the city of Florence explains that this historical event dates back to the First Crusade and involves a “fire” chariot, called the “Brindellone,” escorted by a procession, ending with fireworks set off from the chariot.

We also came across a screenshot of the same video in a report by the Spanish version of Huffington Post, titled ‘The spectacular tradition of ‘The Explosion of the Cart’ and the ‘Flight of the Dove’ that impresses in Florence’.

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The second part of the viral video was traced to concerts by the German metal band Rammstein, known for their elaborate use of fireworks.  Similar video was uploaded on YouTube video by DMD, dated June 11, 2024, showing a concert by Rammstein – a German band. The band has been on a European stadium tour since May, often using outdoor fireworks during their performances.

Conclusion-

Fact Crescendo has found the claim made in the viral video to be False. The viral video shows compilation of two separate events unrelated to Olympic torch lighting ceremony. The actual Olympic torch lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Olympics took place in Olympia, Greece.