Paris Paints A Spectacular Finale To Historic Games

The 2024 Olympics in Paris ended with a star-studded closing ceremony full of joy and panache. Los Angeles took over Olympic hosting duties with a skydiving Tom Cruise and performances by Grammy winner Billie Eilish. The ceremony mixed celebration with a call for peace by the IOC president. Paris made spectacular use of its cityscape for the Games, using iconic monuments as backdrops.

Los Angeles showcased its own strengths, with Cruise impressing the crowd. The handover to Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympics promises an exciting event. Despite Los Angeles’ future prospects, Paris shone brightly with a final party that athletes enjoyed. Thousands of athletes danced and sang, celebrating Olympic themes. Bach, in his last Games as president, called for a culture of peace in a troubled world. Overall, both Paris and Los Angeles showcased their abilities to host the Olympic Games in memorable ways.

Despite acknowledging that the Olympic Games do not bring about peace themselves, they hold the potential to cultivate a culture of peace that can influence the world positively, according to representatives. Tom Cruise’s dynamic stunt sequences and the athletes’ infectious energy during the closing ceremony marked the end of the successful Paris Games, where French participants took home a remarkable 64 medals, boosting the city’s recovery from a traumatic terrorist attack in 2015.

The ceremony featured great performances by global music icons like Billie Eilish and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, adding to the festive atmosphere. The passing of the Olympic flame symbolized the end of the Summer Games in Paris, with anticipation building for the next edition in Los Angeles, 2028. Setting challenges aside, the sports left a lasting impact on France and the world that inspired a spirit of unity and resilience.

Tony Estanguet, head of the organizing committee, declared Paris as a city that had regained its festive spirit, bringing France together. The closing ceremony featured the awarding of medals containing pieces of the Eiffel Tower, with all medals from the women’s marathon going to female athletes, highlighting gender equality efforts.

The U.S. team dominated the table with 126 total medals, 40 of which were gold. Athletes from 205 countries marched in unity, symbolizing peace in a world filled with tensions. The event paid homage to Olympic symbols, showcasing the flag of Greece and the iconic interlaced Olympic rings. The ceremony ended with a mesmerizing display of lights and a golden figure descending from the skies. Despite the closure of the Games, the memories of Paris’ extraordinary summer will endure, as the city embraced a newfound spirit of celebration and unity that left a lasting impact. Estanguet emphasized the transformation of France from a nation of complainers to one of devoted sports fans, embodying the joyful atmosphere that pervaded the Games.