Nothing could go wrong: The story behind the Paris Olympics cauldron balloon
The night the Olympic and Paralympic Cauldron first flew over Paris, its designer Mathieu Lehanneur held his breath
PARIS (AP) — The night the Olympic and Paralympic cauldron first flew over Paris, its designer Mathieu Lehanneur held his breath: Nothing could go wrong.
The balloon, lit by the Olympic torch and set off into the sky, was a risk. After all, it was the first time it had ever been tested in its entirety, Lehanneur told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
Some parts, like the balloon or the flame system, had been tested to ensure a smooth flight, but — with so much secrecy — never all together, making the balloon a bit of an Olympic-sized Hail Mary. So when the golden balloon lit up the Paris skies, the cherry on top of Friday's opening ceremony, it dazzled spectators. As the French designer watched in awe, the world watched with him.
“The most important thing for me is that I discovered the finished cauldron at the same time as everyone else,” said Lehanneur, who also designed the Olympic Torch.
