Olympic Flame lights up Aiguille du Midi (Mont Blanc)

Precisely 100 years after the first Olympic Winter Games took place in Chamonix in 1924, the Olympic Torch returned to the Mont Blanc massif on 23 June with a breathtaking relay on Aiguille du Midi. At 4.20am the flame - a symbol of peace and friendship among nations since antiquity - was taken by cable car to the upper station at 3842m, from where 24 torchbearers took part in an exceptional collective relay. Highlights included the ascent of the Grand Gendarme on the Arête des Cosmiques carried out by Fleur Fouque and Yann Gérome, the highline by Nathan Paulin, the offpiste ski by Blaise Giezendanner and the paraglide flight by Sandie Cochepain down to Chamonix. The historical and extremely symbolic day was documented by Bertrand Delapierre in this fascinating video.