Paris - A bronze bell crafted for the recent Paris Olympics will soon find its permanent home in one of the world’s most iconic cathedrals, according to OSV News.

After being used by track and field athletes at the Saint-Denis’ Stade de France during the Olympics, this bell will now ring during Masses at Notre Dame Cathedral when it reopens this December.

Every Olympics showcases unique elements of local culture, and Paris 2024 was no exception. From stunning settings near the Eiffel Tower to the distinctive purple track at the Stade de France, the Games were steeped in Parisian flair. The large bronze bell, engraved with the words "Paris 2024," was positioned near the finish line, where gold medalists like Noah Lyles, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, and Keely Hodgkinson rang it after their victories, adding a special touch to their achievements. This bell, now part of a mini-tradition in Paris, will soon be a lasting symbol of the Games.

Following the Olympics, this bell will be placed in one of Notre Dame’s bell towers, which are currently being refurbished as part of the cathedral's restoration after the devastating 2019 fire. The bell, weighing 1,103 pounds, was made by the Cornille Havard foundry in Villedieu-les-Poêles, Normandy, known for crafting bells for France’s largest churches and cathedrals. The same foundry created nine new bells for Notre Dame in 2013 for its 850th anniversary and later restored eight of these bells after the fire.

“We were contacted a few months ago by the Paris Organizing Committee, to see if we would be interested in this bell for Notre Dame,” said Father Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, the cathedral’s rector-archpriest. “And we accepted this proposal.”

Pierre-Andre Lacout, a manager at the Stade de France, remarked on the bell’s significance, saying, “In a way, Paris 2024 is helping to rebuild Notre Dame. A part of the Games and the Olympic spirit will remain in Notre Dame for life.”

The Olympic Bell will be placed near the organ, joining two other bells inside the cathedral. The three bells will ring together during Mass, specifically at the time of consecration.

Notre Dame’s largest and most famous bell, “le bourdon Emmanuel,” located in the south tower, dates back to the reign of King Louis XIV in the late 17th century. This historic bell, which survived the 2019 fire, has a long tradition of ringing for significant events, including the end of both World Wars. Father Dumas noted that “le bourdon Emmanuel” has continued to ring on special occasions since the fire, such as Easter, Christmas, and the death of Pope Benedict XVI.

With the reopening of Notre Dame scheduled for December 8, 2024, more than five years after the fire, the Olympic Bell will continue to resonate in the heart of Paris, serving as an enduring legacy of the Games.