The Paris 2024 Olympic Games concluded on August 11 with a spectacular closing ceremony at the 80,000-seat Stade de France, marking the end of 16 days of intense competition and global unity. The ceremony, themed ‘Records,’ featured over 270 performers and showcased dramatic storytelling of Olympics history, blending French culture with Hollywood flair.In a surprising twist, Hollywood star Tom Cruise made a show-stopping appearance, performing a daring stunt to symbolically transfer the Olympics from Paris to Los Angeles. Cruise rappelled down from the roof of the Stade de France, rode a motorcycle through the streets of Paris with the Olympic flag, and then ‘parachuted’ to the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles, showcasing his impressive agility at 62 years old.French swimming sensation Léon Marchand, who won four gold medals and one bronze, had the honor of extinguishing the Olympic flame in the historic Tuileries Garden. The Olympic flag was then ceremoniously passed from Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo to IOC President Thomas Bach, who handed it to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, symbolizing the transition to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.The Games were marked by unprecedented U.S. dominance, with Team USA leading the medal count with 126 medals, 35 more than second-place China. The host nation, France, finished fifth in the overall ranking with a record 16 gold medals and 64 total medals.IOC President Thomas Bach praised the athletes for creating a ‘culture of peace’ despite global tensions, describing the Paris Games as ‘sensational’ and ‘exceeding all expectations’. The ceremony also highlighted the Games’ commitment to sustainability, with a reported 50% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to previous Olympics.The closing spectacle featured performances by international artists including the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Billie Eilish, and Snoop Dogg, along with French bands like Phoenix. The ceremony concluded with a grand fireworks display, marking the end of Paris 2024 and setting the stage for Los Angeles 2028.
Key points
- The Paris 2024 Olympics concluded with a spectacular closing ceremony featuring a daring stunt by Tom Cruise.
- The United States topped the medal count with 126 medals, while France finished fifth with a record 64 medals.
- The Olympic flag was handed over to Los Angeles, symbolizing the transition to the 2028 Olympics.
- IOC President Thomas Bach praised the Games for creating a ‘culture of peace’ despite global tensions.
