Paris Olympic Games 2024 – Closing Ceremony

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games concluded on August 11, 2024, with an unforgettable Closing Ceremony that celebrated two weeks of extraordinary competition and global unity.

Directed by Thomas Jolly and titled “Records,” the ceremony featured a spectacular show at the Stade de France, celebrating athletes and reflecting on the historical importance of the Games.

 

Highlights of the Closing Ceremony:

1. Olympic Flame and Cauldron:
   The Paris 2024 Olympic Cauldron, which had been a focal point during the Games, illuminated the Jardins des Tuileries. A new spectacle featured the “Flying Cauldron” and a performance of Edith Piaf’s iconic song Sous le ciel de Paris, drawing thousands of spectators.
2. Athletes’ Final Gathering:
   Athletes from all 205 delegations entered the Stade de France, greeted with a standing ovation. They were celebrated as true heroes, highlighting the unity and global spirit of the Olympics.
3. Women’s Marathon and Mass Participation:
   The women’s marathon closed the athletic events, celebrating gender equality. Earlier, nearly 35,000 people participated in the Marathon pour tous, a mass running event, marking a historic first for the Olympics.
4. The Golden Voyager and Artistic Performances:
   A character called the Golden Voyager made a dramatic entrance, symbolizing a dreamlike journey into a future where the Olympics no longer existed. This artistic narrative included stunning light shows, acrobatics, and performances by various artists, connecting the past, present, and future of the Games.
5. Tribute to Paris 2024 Contributors:
   Tony Estanguet, President of Paris 2024, thanked the millions of spectators, volunteers, athletes, and supporters, expressing immense pride in France’s successful hosting of the Games.
6. Handing Over to Los Angeles 2028:
   The Olympic Flame was extinguished, and the baton passed to Los Angeles, the next host city. This handover featured Hollywood-style celebrations, signaling the start of preparations for the 2028 Games.
7. Celebration of Paralympic Games:
   In a historic first, the French Olympic delegation symbolically passed the flag to Paralympic athletes, underscoring the commitment to a unified Olympic and Paralympic narrative.