The European Community of Alsace, created in 2021, has many identities. Located at the crossroads of Europe, it brings together different languages, cultures and heritages. It is a symbol of Franco-German reconciliation and embodies the European motto "united in diversity". It is also a region that prides itself on its distinctive features and traditions, through its wine routes, Christmas markets, castles and famous storks. 

To highlight the community, the Torch Relay started in Mulhouse, passing by the Temple of Saint Etienne, the tallest Protestant building in France. It then went to Huningue and its famous Passerelle des Trois Pays (Three Countries Bridge), which crosses the Rhine between France, Switzerland and Germany. The French State organised there a symbolic Team Relay. The Torch was taken to Colmar, also known as 'Liittle Venice'. 

The journey continued in Marckolsheim, and in particular at the Jean-Jacques Waltz secondary school. Two castles from different periods were also highlighted: Rohan Castle in Saverne, built between the 15th and 16th centuries, and Fleckenstein Castle, whose ruins date back to the 12th century. Then it was back to Strasbourg for the last part of the day. The route through the Alsatian capital underlined the European character of the city.   

The Olympic Torch Relay set off from the European Parliament and passed by the European Court of Human Rights and the Council of Europe. It also lit up the city's covered bridges, the Grande île district, the Alsatian Museum and the Gothic cathedral of Notre Dame before arriving at Place Kléber, in the heart of the city, where the ceremony was held. 

It was made up of 24 young people, mostly French and German, nominated by their secondary schools. They were preceded by the German Aline Rotter-Focken, Olympic champion in wrestling, who handed over the Olympic Torch to the Frenchman Éric Kueny, representative of the host country in Huningue. Another Team Relay took place in Strasbourg, this time with judo. The capital of Alsace is a fertile ground for this discipline, as it often hosts a European tournament, European cups and training camps. 

Among the 24 members of the French Judo Federation who made their way up the Ruelle des Maroquins to the Place de la Cathédrale were rising stars Ninon Lassal, the relay captain, Léonie Girardey, who trains at the judo academy in Strasbourg, the youngest, Arthur Mehl, a 13-year-old green belt, Julie Fritz, runner-up in the French adapted sports championships, and Claude Paffenhoff, renowned for his longevity and exemplary character. 

At the end of the day, Arsène Wenger, one of Strasbourg's best-known sporting icons lit the cauldron. After an outstanding career as a defender for the city club from 1963 to 1981, he went on to enjoy a successful coaching career, most notably with Arsenal. He is one of only a handful of coaches to have overseen an undefeated league season (2003-04), joining the likes of Thierry Henry, coach of the French Olympic team, and Patrick Vieira, current coach of Strasbourg. 

Wenger was not the only celebrity in attendance, singer M. Pokora was also present. He recently became a shareholder in SIG, Strasbourg's basketball club, and is currently on a major tour to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the start of his career. The Olympic torch was also carried by influencer Crazy Sally, who has more than 1.2 million followers on social networks. 

As every day, the Olympic Torch was carried by Torchbearers with inspiring life stories, such as Constance Schaerer. For her charity, which supports children who have a parent with cancer, she set out to climb seven of the world's highest peaks and has already reached three of them (Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua and Mont Blanc). 

Other Torchbearers included Yves Wansi, who works to improve  access for the visually impaired; Valérie Ruetsch, a nursery school teacher who uses the Olympic Games as a central theme in her teaching; and Nicolas Linder, a disabled globetrotter who has toured France on a tandem bicycle.