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Paris, August 12 (HS). The Paris Olympics 2024 ended in style on Sunday (local time) after a dazzling, star-studded closing ceremony.
The ceremony began with a classic musical performance and French swimmer Leon Marchand carried the Olympic torch in a lantern to the Stade de France, where the closing ceremony was being held.
The Parade of Nations began inside the stadium, with thousands of cheering fans cheering, led by the IOC Refugee and Olympic Team and the flag bearers of France.
Manu Bhaker, Sreejesh led the Indian team
Indian shooter Manu Bhaker, who won bronze medal twice at the Paris Khel Mahakumbh, and legendary hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who played a key role in India's second consecutive bronze medal at the Olympics with his brilliant, clutch goalkeeping skills, arrived at the stadium as flag bearers carrying the Indian flag in their hands. The Olympics also marked Sreejesh's last international tournament for India.
Inside the stadium, the final medal ceremony of the Olympics 2024 for the women's marathon event was held, a grand and symbolic way to conclude the first Olympics with full gender equality. International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach and World Athletics President Sebastian Coe honored the medal winners.
The light show and the performance of The Golden Voyager won the hearts of the audience
The closing ceremony mesmerized fans with a dazzling light show and a performance by The Golden Voyager, a character inspired by references from French history, including the Spirit of the Bastille. As per tradition, the Greek flag flew during the performance, reminding people that the multi-sport event has its roots in Greece, which hosted the first Olympics in Athens in 1896.
Following in the footsteps of Pierre de Coubertin, also known as the 'Father of the Modern Olympics', Golden Voyager dug up relics of past Olympics and gave them a new life. During the show, many symbols reflecting the founding of the Games and their values of unity and peace were discovered.
In an impressive choreographed performance, the Golden Voyager discovered the Olympic rings and released them in the air right in the middle of the stadium. These Olympic rings represent the five continents that are involved in the sporting event. During the performance, French pianist and opera singer Benjamin Bernheim sang the 'Hymn to Apollo' while Alain Roche played the piano suspended vertically in the air.
Following this spectacular performance, French indie-rock band Phoenix, consisting of Thomas Mars, Deck D'Arcy, Christian Mazzalai and Laurent Brancowitz, gave a series of explosive performances to the fans and athletes in attendance. French electronic artist Kavinsky also performed his 'Nightcall' with the rock band.
Following these performances, Tony Estanguet, President of the Paris 2024 Organising Committee, addressed the crowd. On stage, he was joined by six athletes representing five continents and the Refugee Olympic Team. They were accompanied by IOC President Bach. Tony congratulated and thanked all the athletes for their performances and said they would all meet again during the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The six athletes on the podium were boxer Cindy Ngamba (Refugee Olympic Team Cameroon, bronze medal), table tennis player Sun Yingsha (China, three gold medals, two silver medals, representing Asia), marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya, two gold medals, one silver medal, one bronze medal, representing Africa), wrestler Mijaan López (Cuba, five gold medals, representing the Americas), judoka Teddy Riner (France, five gold medals, two bronze medals, representing Europe), swimmer Emma McKeon (Australia, six gold medals, three silver medals, five bronze medals, representing Oceania).
These legendary artists and athletes also performed at the ceremony
The closing ceremony also featured performances by Grammy Award-winning R&B singer H.E.R., legendary American actor Tom Cruise, Red Hot Chili Peppers, the legendary American hip-hop duo of rapper Snoop Dogg and rapper-music producer Dr. Dre, Olympians Kate Courtney (mountain bike, 2020), Michael Johnson (track and field athletics, four-time Olympic champion, 1992-2000) and Jagger Eaton (skateboarding, two-time Olympic medalist, 2020-2024).
Bach declares the Games officially over
To conclude the ceremony, Léon Marchand arrived at the Stade de France holding the Olympic torch and Bach declared the Games officially closed. Marchand then extinguished the torch.
“In keeping with tradition, I call on the youth of the world to gather in Los Angeles, United States, four years from now, to celebrate with all of us the Games of the 34th Olympiad,” Bach said.
The ceremony concluded with French artist Yisult's interpretation of the famous Frank Sinatra classic, 'My Way', which was originally based on a French song, “Comme d'habitude”. The ceremony was concluded with a spectacular fireworks display at the Stade de France!
The USA topped the Paris Olympics 2024 medal table on Sunday with a total of 126 medals including 40 gold, 44 silver and 42 bronze medals.
In second place are China, who finished their campaign with 40 gold, 27 silver and 24 bronze medals, taking their total medal tally to 91.
Japan finished third with 45 medals, winning 20 gold, 12 silver and 13 bronze medals.
The Indian contingent finished 71st with 6 medals, which included one silver medal and five bronze medals. The Indian contingent comprised 117 athletes.