Stephane Diagana of France clears a hurdle during the 400m Hurdles event in this August 7, 1995 file photo.  [Agencies]

Stephane Diagana, the president of France's national athletics league and a 400-meter hurdles champion of the World Athletics Championship in 1997, will be the first to carry the torch.

About 80 athletes will carry the torch over a 28-kilometer (17.4-mile) route that starts at the Eiffel Tower, heads down the Champs-Elysées avenue toward City Hall, then crosses over the Seine before ending at the Charlety track and field stadium.

The torch relay starts at 12:30 local time. And it will take the flame passing major landmarks and scenic spots of Paris including the Arch of Triumph, Champs Elysees Avenue, the Concorde Square, Le Louvre museum and Cathedral of Notre Dame.