- Rugby champions celebrated by ringing the bell after securing their gold medals
- Track and field athletes, including Noah Lyles, are now experiencing the same honor
- The bell is poised to become a legendary symbol of Olympic history
The Stade de France has transitioned from a rugby venue to the site for track and field events during the Paris Olympics, yet it hosts a meaningful emblem: the impressive victory bell positioned at one end of the arena.
Once reserved for rugby champions, the bell is now being joyously rung by gold medalists in track and field, quickly becoming a central feature of the 2024 Paris Games.
Emblazoned with ‘Paris 2024,’ the bell is strategically placed along the edge of the track at this renowned location.
After the conclusion of the Games, this bell will be moved to Notre Dame Cathedral as part of ongoing restoration efforts following its devastation by fire in 2019.
The fire caused significant damage, collapsing the spire and much of the roof of the historic cathedral.
Comprehensive restoration work has been essential to preserve this iconic monument.
Once renovations are finalized, the bell from the Paris Games will be housed in one of the cathedral’s bell towers, allowing the sound of Olympic triumph to resonate from Notre Dame for generations.
Noah Lyles of the United States 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 was hosting the Sevens competition prior to the track and field events
Since the fire, Notre Dame’s bells have tolled only twice: to honor the funeral of former French President Jacques Chirac in 2020 and to mark the first anniversary of the disaster.
‘In a way, Paris 2024 is contributing to the restoration of Notre-Dame. A segment of the Games and the spirit of the Olympics will remain in Notre-Dame forever,’ remarked Stade de France manager Pierre-André Lacout.
During the rugby matches, the bell became a popular photo spot for winners.
The French men’s team joyfully rang it after winning gold in the men’s tournament, celebrating in front of an audience of nearly 70,000.
The U.S. women’s team also enjoyed the moment with the bell following their bronze medal victory.
Gold medallist Yaroslava Mahuchikh also rang the bell, which will later be transferred to Notre Dame Cathedral after the Olympics
The bell had been rung only twice since the catastrophic Notre Dame fire of 2019 before athletes like Thea Lafond of Dominica had the chance to ring it in celebration
The tradition now continues for track competitors, with only gold medal recipients receiving the privilege of ringing the bell, including 100m sprint celebrity Noah Lyles and high jump champion Yaroslava Mahuchikh from Ukraine.
This Olympic bell was crafted in Normandy at the Fonderie Cornille Havard in Villedieu-les-Poêles-Rouffigny.
Traditionally, Notre Dame has 10 church bells, with its larger historical bells weighing between two and three tons.
The Olympic bell will join these smaller bells once the repairs to the cathedral’s spire are completed.
Tony Estanguet, chair of the Paris 2024 organizing committee, commended the bell-ringing as a method to engage fans and integrate Parisian culture into various venues.
‘This is an honor exclusive to gold medalists, and it offers them a wonderful way to celebrate,’ Estanguet expressed.
