Olympic Flame Begins Journey Across France

MARSEILLE, France (AP) — Torchbearers are carrying the Olympic flame through the streets of France’s southern port city of Marseille, a day after it arrived on a majestic three-mast ship for the welcoming ceremony. The torch begins its 11-week journey across the country with about 10,000 bearers passing through more than 450 towns until the Games’ opening ceremony in Paris on July 26. Former soccer player Basile Boli, who played with the Marseille team in the 1990s, kicked off Thursday’s relay from the Notre Dame de la Garde basilica. Basketball player Tony Parker will take his turn in the relay later Thursday. One of the torchbearers is Ukrainian gymnast Mariia Vysochanska. It’s an expression of solidarity with Ukraine as well as a symbolic gesture to mark Europe Day,