By On Sunday, August 11, 2024, Paris bid farewell to two and a half weeks of extraordinary Olympic sports and emotion with a boisterous, star-studded show at the Stade de France.
The closing ceremony not only celebrated the success of the Games but also officially handed over hosting duties to Los Angeles for the 2028 Summer Olympics.
In a display of cinematic flair, Tom Cruise made a dramatic entrance, descending from the top of the stadium to the iconic “Mission Impossible” theme.
The Hollywood star shook hands with athletes before taking the Olympic flag from gymnastics legend Simone Biles. In a pre-recorded segment, Cruise then embarked on a thrilling journey past Paris landmarks, culminating in a skydive over the Hollywood Hills. The famous Hollywood sign was transformed into the Olympic rings, symbolizing the transition to the next host city.
The ceremony featured performances by a roster of California-native artists, showcasing the musical talent of the next host city:
– Billie Eilish performed at a beachfront concert
– The Red Hot Chili Peppers rocked out at Venice Beach
– Snoop Dogg, a familiar face during the Paris Games, joined forces with Dr. Dre for a crowd-pleasing performance
– H.E.R. delivered a powerful rendition of the U.S. national anthem live at the Stade de France
The artistic portion of the ceremony, directed by Thomas Jolly, took a more sober approach with space-age and Olympic themes. A golden-shrouded figure descended into a world of smoke and swirling stars, while Olympic symbols were celebrated, including the Greek flag and the five interlaced Olympic rings.
Athletes from 205 countries and territories marched into the stadium, waving their flags in a display of global unity. The stadium screens carried the words “Together, united for peace,” a poignant message in a world gripped by tensions and conflicts.
– French swimmer Léon Marchand, who won four gold medals, collected the Olympic flame from the Tuileries Gardens
– The final medals of the Games were awarded to the women’s marathon medalists, embedded with chunks of the Eiffel Tower
– The U.S. team topped the medal table with 126 medals, including 40 golds
– Simone Biles made a triumphant return, securing three gold medals
As Paris concluded its first Games in a century, attention turned to Los Angeles and the challenge of matching the spectacle. Paris had made spectacular use of its iconic cityscape, with monuments like the Eiffel Tower becoming Olympic stars in their own right.
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach praised the Games for their ability to “create a cultural peace that inspires the world,” noting the athletes’ mutual respect despite global conflicts.
The closing ceremony saw around 9,000 athletes and team staffers fill the arena, dancing and cheering to the music. The joyous atmosphere marked a significant milestone in Paris’s recovery from the 2015 terror attacks, with the national stadium itself having been one of the targets.
As the Olympic flame was extinguished in Paris, it symbolically ignited the excitement for the Los Angeles 2028 Games. The City of Angels now takes on the mantle of hosting the world’s greatest sporting event, promising its own unique blend of Hollywood glamour and athletic excellence
