After nearly three weeks of dramatic and exciting competition, the Paris 2024 Olympics officially came to an end with the Closing Ceremony taking place on August 11.
While the Opening Ceremony was held along the Seine River, the Closing Ceremony was held at the Stade de France Stadium, one of the iconic venues of the Olympics.
Paris is a city of art, so the Closing Ceremony also included various special artistic performances. The Stade de France Stadium was transformed into a 2,800m2 stage.
The stage is arranged in a stylized way that looks very futuristic.
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, along with many leaders of countries and sports organizations, attended the closing ceremony.
As in previous editions, the ceremony included traditional rituals such as extinguishing the Olympic flame, handing over the Olympic flag to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Organizing Committee and the parade of athletes to close out a vibrant summer of sports.
The Paris 2024 Olympic Cauldron anchored above the Tuileries Gardens is one of many impressive initiatives for this year’s Games.
The scene before the Closing Ceremony of the 2024 Olympics in Paris took place when the flame in the giant cauldron gradually went out, at the same time the sun was about to set. The cauldron, which was the highlight of the opening ceremony, flew high above the Tuileries Gardens for the entire 15 days of official competition before finally coming down to earth on 11 August.
The song ‘Sous le ciel de Paris’ praising the beauty of Paris, sung by female singer Zaho de Sagazan, opened the ceremony.
As the closing ceremony was about to begin, spectators at the Stade de France waved an emotional farewell. The cameras then turned to the Tuileries Gardens, where host singer Zaho de Sagazan opened the ceremony at 9pm with the song “Sous le ciel de Paris” alongside the fireball. Swimmer Leon Marchand, who has won four gold medals and one bronze at the 2024 Olympics, appeared to the roar of the French crowd.
Leon Marchand appeared to the cheers of the French audience – carrying the lamp holding the Olympic flame.
The 22-year-old held the Olympic flame and was the standout athlete of the Paris Games. Every time Marchand emerged from the water, the crowd chanted his name, especially when he won gold medals in the breaststroke, butterfly and individual medley.
The closing ceremony returned to the Stade de France, when the French national anthem La Marseillaise was played, along with the flag-raising ceremony. At the 2024 Olympics, this song will be played 16 times for the 16 gold medals won by the host country, ranking fifth overall.
Flags of countries participating in the 2024 Paris Olympics are paraded.
The US delegation at the ceremony. The US will host the next Olympics.
The British athletes joined the rhythm at the Closing Ceremony.
The French host athletes had a very funny performance on stage to celebrate the success of the event.
Japanese athletes’ costumes stand out at the Closing Ceremony.
With 40 gold medals like China, the 2028 Olympic host country, the US, leads the way thanks to more silver medals (44 compared to 27). Above France, there are Japan (20 gold medals) and Australia (18). Because many athletes from the delegations have returned home after finishing the competitions, the closing ceremony is not as crowded as the opening ceremony.
The Nigerian delegation attracted attention with their traditional costumes, with athletes smiling brightly as they paraded. Nigeria has 88 athletes in Paris 2024, but did not win any medals. Female cyclist Ese Lovina Ukpeseraye was not even provided with a bicycle by the delegation, but she was loaned to Germany to compete.
Among the flag bearers was Olympic record holder Katie Ledecky. Controversial boxer Imane Khelif was originally chosen to carry the Algerian flag at the closing ceremony, but that was not the case. She was still smiling when she appeared on camera, showing off her gold medal. The Stade de France crowd also cheered when they saw Khelif on screen. The athletes also sang Queen’s We are the champions together, without any background music.
After the parade of delegations, the art performance began with a light party. Paris is nicknamed “The City of Light”, and in the picture it looks like bright rays of light are shining down from the sky.
The stage always changes color unexpectedly thanks to modern, eye-catching technology.
The closing ceremony did not have as many controversial points as the opening ceremony, as the organizers rehearsed and reviewed it many times to make sure there were no offensive details.
French band Phoenix brings a cheerful, vibrant atmosphere.
A “gold-plated” artist was the highlight of the French host’s performance for the audience.
The highlight of the closing ceremony was a Golden Voyager, who appeared from above and flew down to the Stade de France, like the mysterious masked torchbearer at the opening ceremony. This traveler landed in the mysterious world, ready to explore.
This traveler discovered the Olympic rings, symbolizing the creation of this symbol by the late French IOC president Pierre de Coubertin more than 100 years ago.
The ceremony also featured many famous artists and bands in France, such as pianist Alain Roche (pictured) playing the piano in the air. Angele, Thomas Mars (Phoenix), Justice, Ezra Koenig and Kavinsky were also artists performing in the ceremony, while athletes danced around.
However, during the performance, two dancers wore masks and were dressed as Daft Punk.
What was a pity for fans was that the opening and closing ceremonies did not feature Daft Punk, the French band that won eight Grammy Awards, including Best Album of 2014 Random Access Memories, and Best Record of the Year Get Lucky.
Artists perform on an Olympic symbol ring.
However, this Olympics also caused many controversies such as the polluted Seine River, the lack of air conditioning in the athletes’ village, or refereeing issues.
After the art program and speeches by officials, the screen showed the words: “Thank you Paris, thank you France”.
The Paris Olympics had many successes with beautiful images, such as the beach volleyball tournament held right next to the Eiffel Tower, and enthusiastic cheering spectators in the competitions.
The performances then focused on the United States, the host of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with female gymnast Simone Biles holding the Olympic flag. Many Los Angeles artists also performed, such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre.
Near the end, actor Tom Cruise- the famous American actor – appeared on the roof of the Stade de France and jumped down, sharing the joy with the audience. He also rode a motorbike, took the flag from Biles and left the stage, signaling the transition between the 2024 and 2028 Olympic hosts.
The closing ceremony, as usual, ended with a fireworks party on the field.
Fireworks at the Closing Ceremony. Goodbye Paris Olympics 2024.
A total of 207 delegations participated in the Olympics, with 91 winning at least one medal.
Photo: AP, Reuters, AFP
