France, April 6 -- As France gears up for the 2024 Olympics, the L'Oeil Urbain (Urban Eye) photo festival is celebrating sport not only as competition, but as a form of social engagement.

Entitled "The Flame", the 12th edition of the L'Oeil Urbain photography festival explores how sport is used as a political statement and a display of resilience in troubled times.

Ten exhibitions go on display from Saturday in the working-class suburb of Corbeil-Essonnes, around 30km south-east of Paris.

The subject matter is as diverse and challenging as the Games themselves, capturing the sporting spirit and extreme human effort that goes into each performance.

As guest of honour, veteran French photographer Raymond Depardon presents archive photos...