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Closing ceremony

Paris 2024 Olympics concludes with a spectacular Closing Ceremony, passing the torch to Los Angeles

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The Paris 2024 Olympics concluded in grand fashion on Sunday with a mesmerizing closing ceremony at the Stade de France. A celebration of sportsmanship and global unity, the event featured a dazzling array of performances by athletes, musicians, and artists.
 

The ceremony kicked off with French swimmer Leon Marchand carrying the Olympic flame into the stadium, followed by the Parade of Nations led by the IOC Refugee and Olympic Team and France. India’s flag bearers, Manu Bhaker and PR Sreejesh, received a warm welcome as they entered the stadium.

The closing ceremony also included the final medal ceremony of the Games for the women’s marathon, symbolizing the first-ever Olympics with full gender parity. The event continued with an enchanting light show and a performance by The Golden Voyager, a character drawing inspiration from French history.

 

The Olympic rings were dramatically unveiled, accompanied by a rendition of the ‘Hymn to Apollo’. The atmosphere then shifted to high-energy with electrifying performances by French indie-rock band Phoenix and electronic artist Kavinsky.

Paris 2024 Organising Committee president Tony Estanguet and IOC president Thomas Bach delivered inspiring speeches, celebrating the athletes and the spirit of the Games. The Olympic flag was then handed over to Los Angeles, marking the transition to the 2028 Olympics.

The transition to LA2028 was marked by a series of captivating performances and appearances. Singer H.E.R. performed the American national anthem, actor Tom Cruise made a dramatic entrance, and the Olympic flag was symbolically transported from Paris to Los Angeles, with cameos from Olympians along the way.
 

Musical performances by Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg, and Dr. Dre further amplified the celebratory atmosphere. The ceremony culminated with Leon Marchand extinguishing the Olympic flame and President Bach declaring the Games officially closed.
 

The Paris 2024 Olympics left a lasting legacy, with the USA topping the medal tally with 126 medals, followed by China and Japan. India finished at a respectable 71st position with six medals. The Games marked a new era for the Olympics, characterized by inclusivity, sustainability, and gender parity. The world now eagerly awaits the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where the Olympic spirit will continue to shine.



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Paris to pass torch with star-studded finale

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PARIS:

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games will conclude on Sunday, August 11, with a grand closing ceremony at the Stade de France, marking the end of two weeks of exceptional sporting events. The ceremony, which promises to be a star-studded affair, will kick off at 8:00 PM CEST (Central European Summer Time) and last until 10:30 PM CEST.

It will feature performances from globally renowned artists, including Californian music icons Billie Eilish, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Snoop Dogg. These music legends are expected to entertain thousands of fans as Paris hands over the Olympic torch to Los Angeles for the 2028 Games, setting the stage for a new chapter in Olympic history.

Paris, which utilised its iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Palace of Versailles to mesmerise audiences, is passing the baton to Los Angeles. The American city, in preparation for its moment, is already gearing up to showcase its home-grown celebrities to capture the world’s attention.

The 2.5-hour event will feature a theatrical performance titled “Records,” offering a dream-like journey through the history of the Olympic Games, led by a character known as the “Golden Voyager.” This odyssey will take the audience from the ancient origins of the Games to a futuristic, dystopian world where the Olympic spirit must be rediscovered, highlighting the enduring values of peace and unity that Olympism embodies.

However, it is the musical performances that are set to be the highlight of the evening. Alongside Billie Eilish, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Snoop Dogg, Grammy-winning artist H.E.R. will perform the US national anthem live in Paris. Rumours have also circulated that Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise may make a surprise appearance, possibly performing a daring stunt reminiscent of his “Mission Impossible” films, although this has not been confirmed.

“This is the biggest moment in LA28 history to date, as the Olympic flag passes from Paris to LA,” said Casey Wasserman, Chairperson and President of LA28, underscoring the significance of the handover. The ceremony will culminate with a performance of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way,” originally sung by French music legend Claude François, as a nod to Paris’s unique way of hosting the Games.

The 2024 Olympics in Paris were marked by intense competition, particularly between China and the United States, who battled for the top spot on the medal table until the very end. The United States clinched the title with a total of 40 gold medals, with the final one being secured by the American women’s basketball team in a nail-biting one-point victory over France.

Fans and spectators have praised France’s handling of the Games, with packed venues and an electric atmosphere throughout the city. The French were particularly thrilled by the performances of swimmer Léon Marchand, who emerged as a new national hero with four gold medals, and judoka Teddy Riner, who claimed his fifth Olympic gold.

Despite initial scepticism, Olympic fever gripped the host nation, and the Games will be remembered for their dramatic sporting moments and the stunning backdrop provided by the City of Light. The inclusion of new sports such as breaking (breakdancing), 3×3 basketball, and surfing added a fresh dynamic, though they were not without controversy.

The Games also navigated several challenges, including a simmering doping dispute involving Chinese athletes and a gender eligibility controversy in women’s boxing. Additionally, the IOC faced scrutiny over its relationship with the International Boxing Association, reflecting the complexities of hosting a global sporting event.

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