The Paris 2024 Olympic Games reached a spectacular conclusion on Sunday, August 11th, 2024, with a memorable closing ceremony held at the Stade de France. Titled “Records,” the ceremony, designed by Thomas Jolly, beautifully showcased the emotional and global significance of the Olympic Games. The event served as a heartfelt celebration of the athletes who emerged as true heroes over the past two weeks, marking the end of an extraordinary chapter in Olympic history.
The Olympic Flame, which had been illuminating the Jardins des Tuileries and Paris’s skyline throughout the Games, took center stage during the closing ceremony. Over 200,000 spectators gathered to witness its brilliance firsthand, while hundreds of thousands more watched from various locations around the city. The Flame, initially lit at the opening ceremony, was carried in a lantern by Léon Marchand, the most decorated athlete of the Paris 2024 Games. In a poignant moment, the Flame was extinguished, symbolizing the closure of the Paris Games and the commencement of the journey towards Los Angeles 2028. This poignant act was witnessed by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach and a select group of athletes representing different continents, underscoring the global unity that the Olympics embody.
The Stade de France, a pivotal venue throughout the Games, transformed into a grand stage for celebrating the athletes’ accomplishments. The flag-bearers from the 205 delegations were met with thunderous applause as they paraded across a stage designed to resemble a planisphere, signifying the global reach of the Olympics. Following tradition, the athletes entered the stadium together, transcending their nationalities and celebrating their collective achievements. The closing ceremony also paid tribute to the winners of the Women’s Marathon, a historic event as it was the first time the women’s marathon concluded the athletics competitions. This served to highlight Paris 2024’s commitment to gender equality, showcasing the remarkable achievements of female athletes on the world stage.
In a symbolic handover, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo presented the Olympic flag to IOC President Thomas Bach, who then passed it to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, formally marking the transfer of the Games to the City of Angels. Los Angeles 2028 presented a preview of its own, featuring a cinematic journey through the streets of Paris led by Tom Cruise, setting the stage for what promises to be another monumental Olympic event. The evening culminated in a spectacular performance by French artist Yseult, who sang “My Way,” an English adaptation of Claude François’ “Comme d’habitude,” symbolizing the cultural connection between France and the United States. This emotional rendition brought the Paris 2024 Olympic Games to a close, leaving the world eagerly awaiting the Paralympic Games and the next chapter in Los Angeles.
Tony Estanguet, President of Paris 2024, took to the podium to express his deep gratitude to everyone who made the Games a resounding success, from the athletes and volunteers to the spectators and security forces. He emphasized the immense pride felt across France for successfully hosting the Games and extended an invitation to all to join the Paralympic Games, which will continue the legacy of Paris 2024. As the Olympic Flame was extinguished and the lights dimmed on Paris 2024, the world turned its gaze towards Los Angeles, prepared to carry the torch forward for the 2028 Games.
