5:30 in the morning on the Promenade des Anglais. The sun has not yet risen, yet the triathletes already invade the beach, in front of the green theater. In less than an hour, the start of Iron Man 2017 will be given.
An Iron Man that promises to be heavy with emotion. It is the first major sporting event returning to the Promenade des Anglais.
To mark the occasion, things have been done in a grand manner.
There are more than 2,100 triathletes who have gathered this morning at dawn on the Promenade des Anglais. They all have only one goal, to finish the Nice Iron Man 2017.
The battle promises to be tough especially since more than a dozen professional athletes are participating in the edition.
An Iron Man that aims to be heavy with emotion this year. It is the first major event returning to the Promenade des Anglais since the attack on July 14, 2016.
For this edition of the Iron Man to go well, security needed to be as reinforced as possible.
To the right and left of the scene: the spectators, in the center, the triathletes and the journalists (photos, videos, regional and local press)
Around 5:45, some athletes started their first warm-up lap in the big blue of the Bay of Nice. It was an opportunity to get their bearings on the 3 km swim course before setting off 30 minutes later.
15 minutes before the start, the last athletes emerge from the water, they resume their alignment in their speed categories. Some latecomers take the opportunity to sneak in discreetly.
The speaker takes the microphone. He asks the public to heat up the atmosphere. The music is pushed to its climax.
A few minutes before starting, silence falls, and a cappella rendition of La Marseillaise sung by children from the choir slices through the crowd. Many hesitate to sing it; they prefer to place their hand over their heart in a gesture of support for the victims of the attack as well as the families of the 86 fallen angels.
A gesture that nonetheless does not reflect the civility of many people once the starting signal is given. People huddle against the barriers, pushing others, even causing some to fall. Others are annoyed at not being able to see the swimmers. They violently turn on some spectators present with cameras.
Some, out of frustration, are forced to leave the premises quickly out of fear.
It is only around 8:45 that calm seems to return with the start of the Iron Girl. Women are more motivated than ever to also complete their race.
Some gather at Place Masséna and chant their slogans, while others stretch. Everyone prepares for the race in their own way.
Meanwhile, just above the jazz festival, barriers are slowly being erected. They are quickly adorned with the red and black flag. The OGCN village will open its doors at 10 a.m. It is an opportunity for both young and old to test their skills in ball games. They are quickly joined by their star players. Everyone wants autographs and dedications.
