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masked olympic torch bearer
masked olympic torch bearer
NBC
Culture > Entertainment

Um, Who TF Was The Olympic Torch Bearer?

Alisha Allison

Who was that masked torch bearer at the 2024 Summer Olympics opening ceremony? That was the question on so many fans’ minds as they watched the ceremony take place in Paris on July 26.

Not long after the ceremony began, a group of children who were carrying the torch through the city of Paris were robbed of said torch, as a masked figure swooped in and snatched it from them. For the remainder of the ceremony, the torch bearer ran, danced, and parkoured through the buildings and landmarks of Paris (sometimes in CGI-modified clips, sometimes live in real time). This mysterious individual appeared wearing a fencer’s cage and a hooded cloak. Of course, after viewers saw this figure, the internet became flooded with speculation over who it might be underneath that hood and mask.

Some theories were so unserious, including a popular one that the torchbearer was Celine Dion. This joke theory came about because Dion was reported to be a performer at the opening ceremony, and as fans were waiting around for her to finally show up, they started thinking maybe — just maybe! — she was actually on their screens the whole time, just as a cartwheeling masked vigilante.

Other guesses were the Unknown from the cursed Willy Wonka Experience, Spiderman, and Beyoncé.

A few people didn’t even want to know who the torchbearer was (TBH, relatable).

Some also couldn’t help but note that their appearance looked like a reference to the Assassin’s Creed video game.

The masked torch bearer got into quite a bit of shenanigans throughout the ceremony, but by the time the torch made it to actually light the Olympic cauldron, it was being carried by renowned international athletes, not the hooded little troublemaker. TBH, after four hours of watching the pomp and circumstance, some viewers were disappointed there wasn’t some big dramatic reveal of who that person was. C’est la vie, I guess!

BTW, believe it or not, as that mystery continued throughout the ceremony, *another* masked figure made an appearance during the ceremony, showing up on horseback to deliver the official Olympics flag at the TrocadĂ©ro stage. However, this person’s identity was quickly revealed: That was Floriane Issert, a non-commissioned officer for France’s National Gendarmerie, according to CNN.

Apparently, the French have a knack for mystery and drama — and TBH, good for them!

Alisha Allison started as a national writer for the Entertainment/Culture section of Her Campus in January 2024. Alisha graduated from University at Buffalo. She has gained journalism experience from writing stories for her journalism classes, as an assistant editor on the news desk (former staff and contributing writer) for her university’s student-led newspaper, and a writer for Her Campus Buffalo. She was on the executive board for two chapters of national organizations at UB. Alisha plans on attending law school in the future. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music and spending time with her friends and family. She also likes watching television shows, movies, and video essays, and reading novels.