Paris Says ‘Au Revoir’ to Olympics 2024 in Seine-sational Send-off
Paris bid a victorious farewell to the Olympics on Sunday as the final act of its widely acclaimed hosting of the global sporting event unfolded. An impressive closing ceremony, culminating with Hollywood actor Tom Cruise descending from the roof of the Stade de France in front of 71,500 spectators, was the highlight of what has been hailed as one of the most exceptional Olympics ever organized. The President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, praised the Paris Games as “sport at its peak.” Bach expressed, “These were extraordinary Olympic Games from beginning to end.” In a play on words related to the Seine River, Bach added humor to his speech by calling them “Seine-sational Games.” He further stated, “Dear French companions, you have embraced the Olympic Games, and we have embraced all of you.”
Approximately 9,000 athletes gathered in the stadium to enjoy a performance by 270 entertainers and artists in an event designed to celebrate humanity and the unifying force of sports. Paris 2024 organizing head Tony Estanguet commended the athletes, stating, “We knew you would be outstanding, but you turned out to be magical.” He continued, “You brought us joy; you made us feel alive – the world needed this moment dearly.”
The celebration commenced with France’s swimming champion Leon Marchand, who won four gold medals at the Games, receiving the Olympic flame from the cauldron in the Tuileries Gardens to start its journey to the Stade de France. French rugby star Antoine Dupont, who led the host nation to a rugby sevens gold medal, carried a tricolore flag into the stadium as jubilant athletes filled the field. The closing ceremony marked the commencement of the four-year countdown to the Los Angeles Olympics, with American gymnastics legend Simone Biles and Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass formally passing the Olympic flag to the Californian city.
A glimpse of the upcoming Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028 was provided as Hollywood actor Cruise descended into the stadium and rode off on a motorcycle after receiving the Olympic flag. The event featured a pre-recorded segment showing Cruise navigating the streets of Paris before skydiving into Los Angeles and adorning the iconic Hollywood sign with the Olympic rings. The ceremony concluded with performances by the Red Hot Chili Peppers and singer Billie Eilish on a beach.
This ceremony marked the end of 17 days of awe-inspiring sporting competitions against the backdrop of iconic Parisian landmarks. Unlike the rainy opening ceremony on the River Seine, Sunday’s festivities began under the golden glow of a sunset over the French capital. The final day of competitions saw the United States surpass China to claim the top spot in the medal race after the US women’s basketball team narrowly defeated France 67-66 to secure the last gold medal of the Games.
The victory, the eighth consecutive Olympic title for the US women’s basketball team, tied the Americans with China at 40 gold medals each. However, the USA topped the overall medal table with a total of 126 medals, while China followed closely in second place with 91. Sunday commenced with a thrilling victory in the women’s marathon by Dutch long-distance running star Sifan Hassan, who completed the 5,000m, 10,000m, and marathon events. In a remarkable sprint finish, Hassan overtook Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa to claim gold in an Olympic record time of 2 hours, 22 minutes, and 55 seconds. She collapsed on the ground in front of the golden dome of the Invalides memorial complex in Paris before raising the Dutch flag in celebration of her extraordinary feat. Hassan was awarded her gold medal during the closing ceremony.
The final day of competitions also crowned Olympic champions in wrestling, weightlifting, water polo, volleyball, modern pentathlon, handball, and track cycling.