The Bright and Sunny Closing Ceremony of Paris 2024 Olympics
Unlike the rain-drenched opening ceremony, the city is basking in sunny, hot weather as Paris closes out two and a half extraordinary weeks of Olympic sports and emotion. The boisterous, star-studded show in France’s national stadium is a fitting end to the Summer Games, with Los Angeles set to take over in 2028.
Speculation was rife that Hollywood star Tom Cruise would feature in the closing ceremony, which is a stark contrast to the rainy start of the 2024 Paris Games. The ceremony opened with a singer belting out “Under the skies of Paris” to the delight of the stadium crowd.
French swimmer Léon Marchand, dressed in a suit and tie instead of swim trunks, collected the Olympic flame from the Tuileries Gardens in Paris, where the Olympic cauldron thrilled crowds every night. Paris utilized its cityscape brilliantly for the Games, with iconic monuments serving as backdrops and venues for competitions.
As the torch passes to Los Angeles, the City of Angels is bringing its own star power with performers like Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers scheduled to perform at the handover ceremony. The entertainment lineup of California natives adds to the excitement of the transition.
With athletes waving flags of their countries and territories as a display of global unity, the closing ceremony is a celebration of peace in a world marked by tensions. As athletes, adorned with medals embedded with a piece of the Eiffel Tower, enter the stadium, the focus shifts to honoring women, with the women’s marathon winners taking center stage.
The U.S. team topped the medal table with an impressive haul, including a triumphant return for gymnast Simone Biles. The closing ceremony is closely watched after the controversies surrounding the opening ceremony. Artistic director Thomas Jolly and his team faced backlash and threats, but Paris 2024 aims to end on a high note, celebrating the spirit of sportsmanship and unity.
The closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics is a testament to the power of sport to bring people together, overcome challenges, and inspire audiences around the world.
