Paris: Paris closed out two and a half extraordinary weeks of Olympic sports and emotion with a boisterous, star-studded show in France’s national stadium, handing over hosting duties for the Summer Games to the next city in line: Los Angeles in 2028.
Californian music icons Billie Eilish, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Snoop Dogg performed for thousands of fans on Sunday as Paris closed the Summer Games that revitalized the Olympics, with the baton being passed to Los Angeles and Hollywood’s dazzle. IOC President Thomas Bach, joined by athletes and French swimmer Leon Marchand, extinguished the Olympic flame before officially declaring the 33rd Summer Games closed.
The closing ceremony commenced with French swimming sensation Léon Marchand collecting the Olympic flame in a lantern from the gardens overlooking the Louvre, beginning its journey to the stadium on the outskirts of Paris. Shortly after, flagbearers from each of the 205 Olympic delegations paraded into the stadium, led by French rugby star Antoine Dupont. Thousands of athletes followed, entering to rapturous applause and an energetic soundtrack.
In contrast to the 2021 Tokyo Games, which were delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and held without spectators, the atmosphere at the Paris arena was one of unbridled celebration. Over 70,000 spectators joined athletes in singing along to Queen’s anthem “We Are the Champions.” French athletes crowd-surfed, while U.S. team members enthusiastically jumped up and down in their Ralph Lauren jackets.
In contrast to the 2021 Tokyo Games, which were delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and held without spectators, the atmosphere at the Paris arena was one of unbridled celebration. Over 70,000 spectators joined athletes in singing along to Queen’s anthem “We Are the Champions.” French athletes crowd-surfed, while U.S. team members enthusiastically jumped up and down in their Ralph Lauren jackets.
As per tradition, the medal ceremony for the women’s marathon was followed by the playing of Greece’s national anthem, honoring the country that hosted the first modern Olympics in 1896. Over 280 artists then filled the stadium, which was transformed into a globe representing all seven continents.
The Parade of Nations gave athletes a moment to savor the culmination of years of hard work and dedication over the past two weeks. Hockey legend PR Sreejesh was the flag-bearer for the Indian contingent at the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games, alongside star shooter Manu Bhaker. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) chief, PT Usha, revealed that javelin superstar Neeraj Chopra also expressed his desire to see the retiring Sreejesh in this prestigious role. Neeraj Chopra, who secured India’s first and only silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, supported the choice.
French theatre director and actor Thomas Jolly organized a “Records” theme through a series of traditional dance and music performances. The 2.5-hour show featured a theatrical sequence titled “Records,” promising an immersive, dream-like journey through time, led by a “Golden Voyager.
The Olympic rings, symbolizing the Olympic movement, were displayed in the air above the stadium, with artists performing below, entertaining the crowd. The French band Phoenix and Belgian singer-songwriter Angèle delighted the audience with their top hits. A pre-recorded video showcased the journey of the Olympic Torch as it arrived at the stadium, followed by official farewell speeches from International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach and 2024 Paris Organizing Committee President Tony Estanguet.
The “Golden Voyager,” featured during the middle stages of Sunday’s Closing Ceremony at the Stade de France, represented an imaginative depiction of a time before the Olympics. While the identity of the performer portraying the Golden Voyager remains unknown, the character carries a rich historical significance.
The event concluded with the handover of the Olympic Flag. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo passed the flag to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who will host the 34th Summer Games in 2028. In a surprise appearance, Hollywood actor Tom Cruise took the Olympic Flag from Karen Bass and symbolically carried it to Los Angeles for the upcoming Games.
“This is the biggest moment in LA28 history to date, as the Olympic flag passes from Paris to LA,” said LA28 Chairperson and President Casey Wasserman in a statement. The two weeks of sporting drama saw China and the United States battling for the top spot in the medal table until the very last event.
Tom Cruise made a dramatic entrance at the Paris Games closing ceremony, rappelling from the roof of the Stade de France before speeding off with the Olympic flag, marking the start of the countdown to the 2028 Los Angeles Games. As Paris began to transition hosting duties to Los Angeles, R&B singer and California native H.E.R. performed the United States national anthem. In the same handover, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo formally transferred the Olympic flag to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who proudly stood on stage alongside gymnast Simone Biles, holding the flag aloft.
