July 26th will mark the launch of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
The Games will welcome nearly 10 million spectators and more than 10,000 athletes from around the world, who count among them and for the third time in a row, the Refugee Olympic team.
Beyond sports competitions, the Games represent a unique multicultural and popular experience aimed at the entire world.
These last two months have notably been punctuated by the traditional Olympic Torch Relay which traveled across a large part of France. Symbol of peace and unity, the passing of the Olympic Flame is a true moment of communion and celebration for the entire country. It is also an opportunity to promote the great diversity of our society by highlighting people with inspiring life paths to the world.
On July 11, 2024, during the 54th stage of the Torch Relay, Leen Yaghi, a 17-year-old French Ismaili, had the honor to carrying the Olympic Flame in the city of Auxerre.
Contacted by the Yonne Department Council, Leen applied to join the 11,000 bearers of the Olympic Flame. It was in January 2024, after a long selection process, that Leen learned the happy news.
Carrying the Olympic Flame was a great honor for her. Being able to potentially inspire others through her journey is a great source of motivation and pushes her to give the best in everything she does.
Born in Syria and arrived in France with her family 5 years ago, Leen learned the French language very quickly and forged new bonds of friendship with her new friends who supported her all along. Her passion for chess led her to win the title of French Champion in the U14 Girls category in 2021. Aspiring to contribute to civil society, she is involved in various associative projects and events. In addition to being good at chess, Leen has a talent for painting and enjoys reproducing paintings from impressionist painters. She notably participated in a virtual artistic exhibition organized on the occasion of Salgirah in 2020.
At 17 years old, Leen is an example and an inspiration to all and demonstrates that whatever the age and life path, nothing is impossible.
