The Paris 2024 Olympic Games concluded on August 11th, 2024, a fortnight of extraordinary athletic feats and emotional intensity drawing to a close. As darkness descended upon the City of Lights, Thomas Jolly’s “Records” ignited the Closing Ceremony, underscoring the Games’ global significance. The Stade de France became a stage for honoring the true protagonists: the athletes. Their triumphs echoed through the night as the public offered a final standing ovation.
With the extinguishing of the Olympic Flame, a chapter of unparalleled Olympic history closed, its glow destined to reemerge in Los Angeles in 2028. Having illuminated the city for two weeks, the Olympic Cauldron found a final resting place within the Louvre estate. An unexpected phenomenon, it captivated 200,000 visitors and countless more who witnessed its nightly ascent into the Parisian sky.
Enveloped by the Louvre’s grandeur, the Cauldron became the centerpiece of a poignant tableau. Echoing the Opening Ceremony’s iconic rendition of “Hymne à l’amour,” French artist Zaho de Sagazan and the Haendel-Hendrix Academy Choir offered a soulful performance of Edith Piaf’s “Sous le ciel de Paris.” As the Flying Cauldron was subdued, XX, the Games’ most decorated athlete, emerged. Bearing the Olympic Flame in a lantern, they retraced the inaugural journey, returning it to the Stade de France.
Photo: Getty Images/ Kevin Mazur
Photo: Getty Images/ Kevin Mazur
The Closing Ceremony Culminated in A Breathtaking Spectacle
As flag-bearers from all 205 participating delegations made their grand entrance. Greeted by thunderous applause, they paraded across a stage shaped like a planisphere, a symbolic representation of our interconnected world.
In a powerful testament to the Olympic spirit, these leaders were joined by every athlete, forming a united and diverse congregation. This unprecedented gathering, a cornerstone of Olympic tradition, celebrated the collective human achievement. A stirring medley by Justice, orchestrated by Victor Le Masne, and a compilation of anthems that fueled the French team’s triumphs, including the iconic “Que je t’aime” by Johnny Halliday, provided a fitting soundtrack to this inspiring moment.
A New Era of Equality: Celebrating Women in Marathon
Paris 2024 celebrated women’s achievements by concluding the athletics program with the Women’s Marathon and honoring its medalists during the Closing Ceremony. This marked a significant step towards gender equality in the Olympics. Additionally, the Games introduced a groundbreaking mass participation event, the “Marathon pour tous,” where nearly 35,000 people ran together, showcasing the inclusive spirit of the Olympics.
Photograph: Ashley Landis/AP
Photograph: Ashley Landis/AP