Olympic and Paralympic organizers have unveiled the torch for the 2024 Summer Games in Paris one year before the opening ceremony.

An event to celebrate the start of the one-year countdown was held on Tuesday on a boat in the Seine River, along which the Olympics' opening ceremony will also be held.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach were on the boat, among others.

Organizing committee President Tony Estanguet opened the event by unveiling the relay torch.

The champagne-color steel torch is 70 centimeters tall and weighs 1.5 kilograms. It is symmetrical, both horizontally and vertically, to represent "equality" as the 2024 Games will see for the first time in Olympic history the participation of the exact same number of female athletes as male athletes. The soft curves of the torch symbolize "peacefulness."

Among the guests was Jamaica's Usain Bolt, the world record holder in the men's 100-meter sprint. He said he is looking forward to seeing the opening ceremony next year.

The boat made its way along the same course where athletes on boats are expected to parade in the opening ceremony.

Many citizens cheered from along the river waving French flags.

A giant clock has also been installed at the foot of the Eiffel Tower to count down the time until the start of the Games.