"It Was an Honor" BTS Jin Carries Olympic Torch for Paris Olympics Amid ARMY Cheers

Jin Responds to Thousands of ARMY... "Honored to Participate in the Torch Relay"

Jin, the eldest member of the group BTS, participated as a torchbearer for the 2024 Paris Olympics torch relay.

Group BTS eldest member Jin carries the Olympic torch for the Paris Olympics
(Paris AP=Yonhap News)

On the 14th (local time), Jin appeared waving his hand to fans waiting at the torch relay center set up inside the Louvre Museum around 8 p.m. As Jin appeared, the fans waiting on site cheered, shouting "Kim Seokjin." Jin smiled and greeted the fans.

The day Jin participated in the torch relay coincided with Bastille Day, adding a special significance. Earlier, through his agency Big Hit Music, Jin said, "I am honored to be able to participate in such a meaningful moment. It was thanks to ARMY (the fandom name) that I could perform the wonderful role of a torchbearer. I am very grateful."

He also shared his thoughts, saying, "I was so nervous that I didn’t realize how time passed, but thanks to the loud cheers from many people present, I was able to do my best."

Escorted by police, Jin moved to nearby Rue de Rivoli, received the torch from the runner who arrived by bicycle right in front of him, and then marched again to the front of the Louvre Museum. Jin ran about 200 meters during the torch relay, and fans cheered and applauded him. Some fans ran along the route to see Jin as closely as possible.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Among the fans gathered on the street, signs written in Hangul such as "Seokjin (I love you)," "Run Seokjin," and "Fighting," as well as the Taegeukgi (South Korean flag), caught the eye. Jin wore the pure white official uniform of the Paris Olympics torch relay and ran for about 10 minutes to Place du Carrousel, capturing the attention of Parisian citizens.

He then completed his role by passing the torch to Sandra Laura, a former French national freestyle skiing representative, in front of the Louvre Pyramid.

Jin said, "I hope all South Korean national representatives participating in the Olympics achieve great results as much as they have worked hard, and I will support them with one heart." He added, "I also hope that there will be much interest in the '17th Paris Paralympics' to be held this August."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He continued, "I feel very honored to be able to participate in the torch relay, and I sincerely thank ARMY and all the fans who made it possible for me to carry the torch."

The 2024 Paris Summer Olympics torch relay began last April in Olympia, Greece, and will take place in 64 locations including city centers and beaches across France until the opening day on the 26th. Jin and other torchbearers will visit historic sites symbolizing the host country while spreading messages of "unity" and "peace."