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| Tony Estanguet, president of the Paris 2024 organizing committee, delivers a speech at the closing ceremony…. Photo credit: Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters |
Compiled by Rose Moses
The 2024 Paris Olympics came to a dazzling close Sunday night, August 11, with a star-studded closing ceremony at the Stade de France, marking the end of 17 days of exhilarating competition.
Delivering his speech, Tony Estanguet, president of the Paris 2024 organizing committee, happily said the Paris Olympics matched records for audience size, attendance and decibel levels.
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| Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass waves the Olympic flag next to Thomas Bach, the president of the International Olympic Committee. Carl Recine/Getty Images |
The ceremony celebrated the spirit of unity and sportsmanship, with the Olympic flame passed to Los Angeles for the 2028 Games, symbolizing a seamless transition from the City of Light to the City of Angels.
The United States topped the medal tally, clinching gold in women's basketball against France in a thrilling final just some moments before the start of the closing ceremony.
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| The Olympic rings are raised during the ceremony. Rob Schumacher/USA Today Sports/Reuters |
Notable achievements also included Sifan Hassan's historic triple medal win in distance events, and medals for that event president at the closing ceremony, and echoing the legacy of Emil Zatopek.
The closing ceremony featured a diverse array of musical performances and entertainment, showcasing the best of French and international talent.
Musical Highlights
Billie Eilish took the stage, performing her hit song "Birds of a Feather" alongside her brother Finneas. The duo donned patriotic Ralph Lauren outfits as they sang from a classic Los Angeles lifeguard shack, setting the tone for the handover to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
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| French indie rock band Phoenix performs during the ceremony. Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters |
Snoop Dogg brought the house down with his iconic hits "Drop It Like It's Hot" and "The Next Episode" featuring Dr. Dre. The performance took place in Venice Beach, with a colorful smoke display in the shape of the Olympic rings.
French singer Yseult delivered a powerful rendition of "My Way" in English, accompanied by fireworks around the stadium. The song's French origins and Sinatra's famous version created a fitting tribute to the City of Light.
Acrobatics and Pageantry
Veteran Hollywood actor, Tom Cruise, stole the show with his daring stunt, repelling from the stadium roof and parachuting down to the Hollywood sign. He transformed the sign into the Olympic rings, passing the baton to cyclist Kate Courtney, who delivered the flag to Michael Johnson.
Hundreds of artists and performers took part in the ceremony, with grand sets, costumes, and lighting effects transporting the audience through different eras.
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| The Olympic cauldron sits in the Tuileries Garden. Vadim Ghirda/AP |
The ceremony concluded with the extinguishing of the Olympic flame, fireworks, and a moving performance of "Sous le ciel de Paris" by French singer Zaho de Sagazan.
In other words, as the curtain fell on the Paris Games, the Olympic flag was passed to Los Angeles, setting the stage for the 2028 Olympics in the City of Angels.
The spectacular closing ceremony left spectators and viewers alike with lasting memories of the Parisian summer.
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