Desjardins carrying a torch for Parkinson's in Paris Games relay

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The Olympic torch relay has reached its destination: Paris, for the opening ceremony on Friday.

Anthony Desjardins is one of the Olympic torch bearers. He took part in the relay five days after the flame arrived on French soil.

The 41-year-old says he was very nervous in the moments leading up to grasping the torch for the first time. "Bizarrely, as soon as I stepped off the bus to go to carry the flame, all the stress disappeared," he told CGTN.

‌"I felt as though I was on cloud nine. I was really proud because I was carrying the flame and, also, a message.‌"

That message was the other story Anthony has to tell: he suffers from Parkinson's disease. He was diagnosed when he was just 38.

‌The illness is progressing but he can control it with treatment. He was one of 10,000 people chosen to be a torch bearer, selected for his commitment and action in bringing sport to people who have Parkinson's.

‌Anthony has challenged himself to raise awareness of the number of young people with the disease, through his social media profiles and videos on YouTube.

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"I have a project called 'Ciel Mon Parki', where I actually take a step back from the camera and let other people with the disease tell their stories," added Anthony.

‌"It's a first-person type of programme. With this, I try to inform as many people as possible. My goal is to grow this YouTube channel and reach a maximum number of people."

‌Anthony took part in the relay in Montpellier, one of France's famous southern cities.

‌The Olympic torch has traveled thousands of kilometres to visit all corners of France, from the capital to the overseas territories, the snow-capped peaks of the Alps, and here in the sun-baked south of the country.

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