Monday, August 12, 2024 Paris 2024 Olympics came to a memorable conclusion on Sunday, August 11, 2024,. There was a spectacular closing ceremony at the Stade de France. The ceremony, titled “Records,” was designed by Thomas Jolly and showcased the emotional and global significance of the Olympics.
The event celebrated the athletes who became the true heroes over the past two weeks. This marks the end of an unprecedented chapter in Olympic history. The Olympic Flame’s Final Journey The Paris 2024 Olympic Flame had been illuminating the Jardins des Tuileries and the Paris skies for the duration of the Games.
It was the centerpiece of the closing ceremony. Over 200,000 people had gathered to witness its brilliance up close. Hundreds of thousands more were watching from various vantage points around the city.
The Flame, had been lit at the opening ceremony. Léon Marchand, the most decorated athlete of the Paris 2024 Games carried the flame in a lantern. In a touching moment, the Flame was extinguished.
It symbolized the end of the Paris Games and the beginning of the journey to Los Angeles 2028. The extinguishing of the Flame was witnessed by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach and a select group of athletes representing different continents. This is signifying the global unity that the Olympics represent.
Stade de France Hosts Final Celebrations The Stade de France, which had served as a key venue throughout the Games, became the setting for a grand celebration of the athletes. The flag-bearers of the 205 delegations were greeted with standing ovations as they paraded across a stage designed to resemble a planisphere, symbolizing the global reach of the Olympics. Following tradition, the athletes entered the stadium together, transcending nationalities and celebrating their collective achievements.
The closing ceremony also honored the winners of the Women’s Marathon, a historic event as it was the first time the women’s marathon concluded the athletics competitions. The ceremony highlighted Paris 2024’s commitment to gender equality, showcasing the achievements of female athletes on the global stage. Passing the Torch to Los Angeles 202 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, marking the official transfer of the Games to the City of Angels.
Los Angeles 2028 put on 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 historic Olympics. The night concluded with 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 anticipating the Paralympic Games and the next chapter in Los Angeles.
A Tribute to the Contributors Tony Estanguet, President of Paris 2024, took to the podium to express his gratitude to all those who made the Games possible, from the athletes and volunteers to the spectators and security forces. He emphasized the pride felt across France for successfully hosting the Games and invited everyone 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 attention to Los Angeles, ready to carry the torch forward for the 2028 Games.
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