On a warm Sunday evening, Paris celebrated the end of the Olympic Games with a closing ceremony. The Stade de France, the heart of the Paris Games, became the stage for a mesmerising kaleidoscope of light, music, and spectacle, capturing the spirit of a city that had hosted the world’s greatest athletes for more than two weeks.
The ceremony began with a scene reminiscent of science fiction: a mysterious figure, an intergalactic traveler, descended from the stadium’s roof, moving through a futuristic landscape. This celestial wanderer, played by French breakdancer Arthur Cadre, was tasked with a solemn mission: to revive the Olympic spirit in the modern world—a vivid metaphor meant to highlight the enduring importance of unity and resilience in an era marked by conflict and division.
As the gold-clad traveler roamed the stage, ghostly dancers and acrobats descended from the stadium heights, casting shadows on the giant Olympic rings. Swiss musician Alain Roche performed “Hymn to Apollo” on a piano suspended in mid-air—a celestial maestro. The atmosphere was charged with light, and the striking blend of artistry and athleticism set the tone for the evening.
French singer Iso stepped onto the stage with the song “My Way.” The choice of this piece symbolised the international character of the Games. Originally performed in English by Frank Sinatra, “My Way” signalled Paris’s readiness to hand over the Olympic torch to Los Angeles. Young singer Zaho de Sagazan, whose voice has breathed new life into French chanson, sang “Sous le Ciel de Paris,” a classic ode to the city once performed by Edith Piaf. As her voice echoed through the stadium, star French swimmer Léon Marchand appeared, ready to carry the Olympic flame and signal the end of the Games.
The audience of more than 70,000 erupted in joyful cheers, as the stadium transformed into a pulsating dance floor with athletes, volunteers, and spectators creating a vibrant sea of flags—a true moment of unity! The unofficial anthem of the Games, “Freed from Desire,” was followed by the classic song “We Are the Champions.” Paris turned its Games into a giant open-air party, and the final display of camaraderie underscored this idea.
The ceremony provided a striking contrast to the epic opening spectacle along the banks of the Seine. That event, with its bold visual effects and record-breaking viewership, set a high bar. However, the Sunday spectacle rose to the occasion, concluding a phenomenally successful Games for Paris.
Thomas Jolly, a theatre and opera director who oversaw the closing show, once called the Games a “unique opportunity to share, reconcile, and rejuvenate.” This message was evident throughout the ceremony, which unfolded under a dramatic fiery ring of electric discharges and LED spotlights suspended from a balloon. This same shining symbol captivated the public each night as it rose above the Louvre, and now there is an idea to make it a permanent part of Paris’s landscape as a symbol of the city’s Olympic legacy.
The ceremony also introduced the next host city—Los Angeles. Tom Cruise, star of the “Mission: Impossible” films, descended from the stadium roof on a wire and rode off on a motorcycle with the Olympic flag, kicking off the journey to the 2028 Games.
It’s worth noting that the United States achieved a significant feat at these Olympics: they topped the medal table in Paris. This victory was hard-fought and only secured in the final moments of the Games. After more than two weeks of intense competition in 32 sports, the U.S. found itself locked in a tense battle with China. On the final day, the U.S. had 38 gold medals to China’s 39. To surpass their rival, they needed victories in several key sports.
The day began promisingly, but also with tension. China’s weightlifting star Li Wenwen won gold in the +81 kg category, temporarily extending China’s lead. However, the U.S. wasn’t ready to concede: Jennifer Valente’s decisive victory on the track brought the U.S. within one gold of China. Everything came down to the final event—women’s basketball, where Team USA was not only the favourite but practically unbeatable, with a 60-game winning streak dating back to 1996.
In a thrilling final, the U.S. team edged out France in the last seconds, winning their eighth consecutive title and tying with China at 40 gold medals each. But it was the silver medal count that secured the U.S. the top spot—44 to China’s 27. Japan took third place with 20 gold medals, while Australia achieved its best-ever medal haul to finish fourth. Rounding out the top five was France with 16 gold medals—its best result since 1900, when it last hosted the Games and led the medal count.
For Team Great Britain, the Paris Games were mixed. Finishing in seventh place, their lowest rank since 2004, the British team could still take comfort in their total medal count of 65—third place by the methodology used by U.S. media.
The U.S. will undoubtedly aim to top the medal table again in four years in Los Angeles. Historically, host countries perform exceptionally well on home soil. However, the Winter Olympics tell a different story. The last time the U.S. led the winter medal table was in 1932. Norway, with a population of less than 6 million (compared to over 340 million in the U.S.), has dominated the Winter Games in recent years.
Every detail of the Paris Olympics was meticulously planned: from the stunning purple athletics track to picturesque locations like the beach volleyball courts set right beneath the Eiffel Tower. The motto “Games Wide Open” was fully realised: Paris brought sport from the stadiums into the very heart of the city. This innovative approach aimed to revitalise the Olympic movement, attract a younger audience, and inspire other cities to host the Games.
And although the Olympic flame in Paris has been extinguished, the world’s sports capital of 2024 is still preparing to welcome athletes. In just a few weeks, the Paralympic Games will begin, running from August 28 to September 8.
