The Stade de France has been transformed from a rugby stadium to host athletics events at the Paris Olympics, but it still retains one significant symbol: the large victory bell at one end of the field.
Initially used by rugby winners, the bell is now rung by athletics gold medallists and is becoming a highlight of the 2024 Paris Games.
The bell, which bears the inscription ‘Paris 2024’, is located at the edge of the track at the iconic venue.
Following the conclusion of the Games, the bell will be moved to Notre Dame Cathedral as part of its ongoing renovation after it was nearly destroyed by a fire in 2019.
The fire severely damaged the historic cathedral, causing its spire and much of its roof to collapse.
Extensive restoration efforts were needed to preserve the iconic structure.
Once the restoration is complete, the bell used at the Paris Games will be suspended in one of the cathedral’s bell towers, allowing the sound of Olympic glory to be heard from Notre Dame for years to come.
American Noah Lyles rings the bell after winning the men’s 100m 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.
Notre Dame’s bells have only rung twice since the fire: for the funeral of former French President Jacques Chirac in 2020 and to mark the first anniversary of the fire.
“In a way, Paris 2024 is helping to rebuild Notre Dame. A part of the Games and the Olympic spirit will remain at Notre Dame forever,” said Pierre-André Lacout, technical director of the Stade de France.
During the rugby tournament, the bell became a staple of the winners’ photographs.
The French men’s team rang the bell after winning gold in the men’s tournament, celebrating in front of nearly 70,000 fans.
The U.S. women’s team posed with the bell after winning the bronze medal and also had the opportunity to ring it.
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 Notre Dame fire in 2019 before athletes like Dominica’s Thea Lafond were able to ring it in victory.
The tradition now continues with track athletes, with only gold medal winners given the honour of ringing the bell, including 100-metre star Noah Lyles and Ukrainian high jump winner Yaroslava Mahuchikh.
The bell was manufactured in Normandy at the Cornille Havard foundry in Villedieu-les-Poêles-Rouffigny.
Notre Dame typically has 10 church bells, and the largest historic bells weigh between two and three tons.
The Olympic bell will join the smaller bells once the cathedral’s spire is repaired.
Tony Estanguet, head of the Paris 2024 organizing committee, praised the sound of the bells as a way to engage fans and incorporate Parisian culture into each venue.
“It’s only for gold medalists and it’s a great way to celebrate,” Estanguet said.