A Star-Studded Farewell: The Paris 2024 Olympics Closing Ceremony

• The Paris 2024 Olympics concluded with a star-studded closing ceremony, featuring the dramatic descent of Tom Cruise collecting the Olympic flag as part of the handover to Los Angeles, the 2028 host city.
• Team Great Britain celebrated their success with 65 medals, as flag bearers Alex Yee and Bryony Page represented the nation at the ceremony.
• IOC President Thomas Bach praised the Games as a “new era” of inclusivity and sustainability, while the closing showcased LA’s culture and excitement for the 2028 Olympics.

The Paris 2024 Olympics culminated with a spectacular finale ceremony that combined icons of film, sport as well as music for a dramatic celebration. The celebration, held in the famous Stade de France, marked the conclusion of the 33rd Olympic Games by a night filled with emotion and excitement that set the stage to begin the new chapter of Olympic time.

A Cinematic Handover to Los Angeles

The most talked about highlights of the evening was the dramatic appearance of Hollywood legendary Tom Cruise. True to the cinematic style, Cruise descended from the top of the Stade de France to collect the Olympic flag in celebration of the handover ceremony for Los Angeles, the host city of the 2028 Games. The thrills didn’t end there and after the flag was secured, Cruise made a thrilling departure on a motorcycle which left the spectators in awe.

The symbolic transfer over to Los Angeles was a fitting honor to the city that is known for its entertainment sector. The closing ceremony gave an idea of what to expect from the American city, which will host the Olympics for a third time in 2028. The ceremony moved smoothly from Paris to Venice Beach, where Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg, and Dr. Dre performed during a star-studded music set. Viewers were left excitedly anticipating the 2028 Games by the unforgettable setting of Venice Beach and the electrifying performances.

Great Britain Shines in Paris

A moment of pride for Team Great Britain was witnessed by the Paris crowd prior to the start of the festivities in Los Angeles. Bryony Page and Alex Yee, both gold medallists, were chosen to carry the flag for the country at the event. The British celebrated Yee’s thrilling triumph in the men’s triathlon and Page’s historic victory as the country’s first-ever Olympic trampoline gold medallist.

With 14 gold, 22 silver, and 29 bronze medals, Team Great Britain won a respectable seventh place in the medal standings at the end of the Games. With one more medal than they won in Tokyo 2020, their final total of 65 showed how consistently the country performs on the international front.

A “Seine-sational” Games: The IOC President’s Thoughts

Thomas Bach, head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), gave a moving farewell speech in which he reflected on what he called a “sensational” Games. Bach jokingly dubbed the occasion “Seine-sational,” alluding to the well-known river that runs through Paris as a tribute to the host city.

The IOC president Bach, who will leave office in 2025, referred to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris as the “Games of a new era.” He emphasized that they were the first Olympics held fully in accordance with the IOC’s agenda revisions, which sought to make the Games more accessible, youthful, urban, inclusive and sustainable. Notably, full gender parity was attained in Paris 2024, marking a critical turning point in the Olympic movement’s history.

The IOC president highlighted the solidarity and friendship shown in the Olympic Village while praising the athletes for their “simply amazing” accomplishments. “During all this time, you lived peacefully together under one roof in the Olympic Village. You embraced each other. You respected each other, even if your countries are divided by war and conflict. You created a culture of peace.”

He admitted that although the Olympic Games can’t bring about world peace, they can encourage a culture of peace that inspires the world. Bach’s lecture was an exhortation to embody this culture of peace every single day for everyone who embodies the Olympic spirit.

Celebrating the Unsung Heroes: The Volunteers

At the end of the event, the 45,000 volunteers were recognized for their work in helping make the Paris 2024 Olympics a success. They put up a lot of effort in the background to ensure that the Games ran well from start to finish. Volunteers played an invaluable role on the day, helping with everything from logistics to providing support to runners and spectators.

The show began by reminding viewers of the challenges involved in producing a top-notch event by referencing the rainy opening ceremony on the Seine on July 26. Despite the rain, the participants’ excitement remained steadfast, and their effort was recognised by being accorded the recognition it deserved.

Los Angeles 2028: A Glimpse of the Future

As the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris drew to a finish, attention shifted to Los Angeles, which would host the 2028 Summer Olympics. The closing ceremony was a magnificent showcase of Los Angeles’ distinct history and culture, laying the groundwork for the upcoming Olympic segment.

After a trip to Los Angeles, R&B singer H.E.R. sang the American national anthem at the Stade de France. The Olympic flag was flown over famous sites in Los Angeles, including Venice Beach and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Prominent athletes that carried the banner included skateboarder Jagger Eaton, mountain biker Kate Courtney and track and field great Michael Johnson. 

Tom Cruise was a major player in the handover and is pictured in front of the iconic Hollywood sign that is now adorned with Olympic rings. The picture perfectly conveyed the combination of Olympic zeal and Hollywood glitz. It promised entertaining and thought-provoking games.

The evening’s grand finale featured a performance by rapper Snoop Dogg, who covered the Paris Games just for NBC. Snoop Dogg’s performance along with that of Dr. Dre piqued interest, making them anticipate what the 2028 Olympics will have to offer.

A Legacy of Inspiration

As the Stade de France’s lights went out and the 2024 Summer Olympics officially came to a close, inspiration and optimism spread over the entire planet. The Games showcased the finest qualities of humanity, including cultural diversity, physical prowess, and a commitment to peace and harmony.

With an eye towards Los Angeles 2028, the legacy Paris 2024 left behind will inspire the future generation by serving as a reminder of the power of sports to unite people.