The Paris 2024 Olympics came to a dazzling end on Sunday with a star-studded closing ceremony, celebrating sportsmanship and unity at the highest level. Held at the Stade de France, the ceremony kicked off with a classic musical performance, followed by French swimmer Léon Marchand bringing the Olympic flame to the stadium in a lantern.
The Parade of Nations saw athletes march into the stadium, met with cheers from thousands of excited fans. The Indian flag was carried by shooter Manu Bhaker, a two-time bronze medalist at these Games, and legendary hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who played a pivotal role in securing India’s second consecutive Olympic bronze in hockey. Notably, this was Sreejesh’s final international tournament, marking the end of an illustrious career.
The final medal ceremony honored the women’s marathon winners, symbolizing the first Olympics with full gender parity. The ceremony was followed by a captivating light show and performances, including “The Golden Voyager,” a character inspired by French history and the Olympic spirit. The performance culminated in the discovery and hoisting of the Olympic rings, a symbolic representation of the unity of the five continents.
Musical performances included French indie-rock band Phoenix, who energized the crowd with their electric performance, and electronic artist Kavinsky.
The President of the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee, Tony Estanguet, addressed the crowd, expressing gratitude to the athletes and looking forward to the Los Angeles 2028 Games. He was joined on stage by athletes representing different continents, including judoka Teddy Riner from France and swimmer Emma McKeon from Australia.
The Olympic Flag Handover Ceremony marked the transition from Paris to Los Angeles, with the flag passed from the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, to IOC President Thomas Bach, and then to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. American gymnast Simone Biles received the flag, symbolizing the handover.
The ceremony featured performances by American artists including H.E.R., Tom Cruise, and Billie Eilish, among others, who contributed to a vibrant transition to LA2028. The event concluded with the Olympic flame being extinguished, officially closing the Games.
The USA topped the medal tally with 126 medals, followed by China with 91 medals, and Japan with 45 medals. India finished with six medals—one silver and five bronze—placing 71st overall. A total of 117 Indian athletes competed in this edition of the Olympics.
