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

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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Who Is Claudia Mancinelli? The Italian Gymnastics Coach Making Waves Online

Who Is Claudia Mancinelli? The Italian Gymnastics Coach Making Waves Online

Her fiery personality and unapologetic confidence have made her a favourite of the internet.

Claudia Mancinelli, a former actress turned Italian rhythmic gymnastics coach, has become an unlikely social media sensation after a video of her fearlessly standing up to judges at the Paris Olympics went viral. A video of her intense, straight-faced reaction during the Gymnastics event at the Paris Olympics has taken social media by storm, earning her the royal title of “Queen” of the online world. The viral video has been seen over a whopping 34 million views. 

It all happened when the judges’ initial score threw Italian gymnast Sofia Raffaeli’s chances of victory into peril during the all-around final. However, her coach, Claudia Mancinelli, refused to let Ms Raffaeli’s hard work and dedication slip away. She stepped in, confronted the judges and demanded them to revisit their score. The 39-year-old coach’s angry march back to the bench was captured in a video that rapidly spread like wildfire. Thanks to her, Ms Raffaeli went on to win bronze in the women’s rhythmic individual all-around competition. 

Watch the video here:

Her fiery personality and unapologetic confidence have made her a favourite of the internet. Several people shared her pictures and videos online and praised her beauty and confidence. 

Who is she?

Born and raised in Fabriano, Claudia Mancinelli began her love affair with gymnastics at a tender age, training under the guidance of Kristina Ghiurova and Mirna Baldoni. Her dedication propelled her local club from Serie B to the prestigious Serie A1. However, in a surprising twist, she left sports to pursue a career in acting.

Her silver screen debut led to roles in notable films like ‘Unique Brothers’, ‘The Tourist’ and ‘Nine.’  However, fate had other plans. When renowned coach Julieta Cantaluppi stepped down just ten months before the Paris Olympics, Ms Mancinelli was called back by the federation to lead the national rhythmic gymnastics team to the Olympics.

With just a few months left for the Olympics, Ms Mancinelli faced a daunting challenge: transforming Sofia Raffaeli and Milena Baldassarri into world-class contenders. She accepted the challenge and forged an unbreakable bond with her gymnasts. Through trust, respect, and dedication, Ms Mancinelli brought out the best in them. Under her guidance, Ms Raffaeli ultimately secured a historic bronze medal in the individual all-around competition.



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US tops Paris Olympics medals table at closing, edging out China


PARIS:

The United States topped the medals table at the Paris Olympics with 40 golds after the final title was decided on Sunday, finishing above China only by virtue of their 44 silvers.

China, who were the last team apart from the US to top the standings when they did it on home soil at the 2008 Beijing Games, also won 40 golds but managed only 27 silvers.

The US women’s basketball team secured their country’s pre-eminence by edging host nation France in a breathless finish to win the final gold of the Games. The US also won the most total medals with 126 to China’s 91.

France won 16 golds to finish fifth on the table and their total tally of 64 medals was their best for more than a century.

Medals Table:

Team Gold Silver Bronze Total
1 United States 40 44 42 126
2 China 40 27 24 91
3 Japan 20 12 13 45
4 Australia 18 19 16 53
5 France 16 64
62 Pakistan 1 0 0 1

 

Pakistan secured one gold medal, finishing 62nd on the medals table with a total tally of one.

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Paris to pass torch with star-studded finale


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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American Jordan Chiles loses Olympic bronze after CAS ruling

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PARIS:

American gymnast Jordan Chiles is set to lose her bronze medal in the women’s artistic gymnastics floor exercise competition after the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled in favour of an appeal by Romania’s Ana Barbosu, who will move up to third place, it said on Saturday.

Barbosu and her team had appealed to CAS that an inquiry filed over the results in that event was done so past the one-minute deadline and that Chiles should not be awarded the score of 13.766 that lifted her to third place behind winner Rebeca Andrade of Brazil and silver medallist Simone Biles of the United States.

Chiles had initially been awarded a score of 13.666, while Barbosu scored 13.700.

“The inquiry submitted on behalf of Ms Jordan Chiles in the final of the women’s floor exercise was raised after the conclusion of the one-minute deadline,” CAS said.

“The initial score of 13.666 given to Ms Jordan Chiles in the final of the women’s floor exercise shall be reinstated.”

CAS also ordered the international gymnastics federation FIG to determine the ranking of the final and “assign the medal(s) in accordance with the above decision.”

The decision does not affect either Andrade or Biles, who scored 14.166 and 14.133 respectively.

In a joint statement, US Gymnastics and the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee said they were devastated by the decision.

“The inquiry into the Difficulty Value of Jordan Chiles’ floor exercise routine was filed in good faith and, we believed, in accordance with FIG rules to ensure accurate scoring,” they said.

It also said Chiles had received online abuse during her appeal and condemned those who engaged in it.

“Throughout the appeal process, Jordan has been subject to consistent, utterly baseless and extremely hurtful attacks on social media. No athlete should be subject to such treatment.”

“We condemn the attacks and those who engage, support or instigate them. We commend Jordan for conducting herself with integrity both on and off the competition floor, and we continue to stand by and support her.”

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US women secure football gold with victory over Brazil at Paris Olympics

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PARIS:

The United States claimed a record-extending fifth Olympic gold medal in women’s soccer after Mallory Swanson earned them a 1-0 win over Brazil in the final at Parc des Princes on Saturday.

Following a goalless first half, Swanson broke the deadlock 12 minutes after the break to earn the US their first Olympic title since London 2012 after a perfect run in the tournament.

US coach Emma Hayes enjoyed almost instant success as she secured the title only two months after taking the job.

“I’m very emotional, it’s a dream of mine to be in this position,” a tearful Hayes told Eurosport. “I have to thank my dad for pushing me to this point, to be able to come and coach an incredible group of players that have received me so well.

“(They have) taken on everything I asked, they are tremendous people, players and role models. I love them.”

Brazil were dangerous in the opening stages and came close to scoring when Gabi Portilho drew a great save from Alyssa Naeher shortly before halftime. Naeher did well again in injury time to claw away Adriana’s header from point-blank range.

Brazil great Marta returned after a two-match ban handed down for a red card, coming on as a substitute after the hour mark, but did not have much impact as Brazil were beaten by the Americans in an Olympic final for the third time.

Germany beat Spain 1-0 to win the bronze medal on Friday.

Swanson, making her 100th international appearance, found the net with a low finish after a solo run and a great pass from Korbin Albert to cut through the Brazilian backline.

It was her fourth goal of the tournament.

Brazil could not capitalise on the three big chances they created to send the match to extra time, but received a huge ovation from their fans after the final whistle.

It was an intense and evenly fought duel cheered by a huge crowd at Paris St Germain’s stadium, with the likes of American former Ballon d’Or winner Megan Rapinoe, ex-Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and Tom Cruise also in attendance.

“The crowd was tremendous, Brazil was tremendous, I’m speechless,” former Chelsea manager Hayes added.

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