Paris 2024 Olympics Bid Farewell in Spectacular Closing Ceremony
After two weeks of edge-of-your-seat action and heart-wrenching drama, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games wrapped up in style on Sunday 11 August. The grand finale, a dazzling show called “Records” by Thomas Jolly, celebrated the Games’ global spirit and honoured the athletes—the true stars of the event—one last time at the Stade de France. As the night ended, the Olympic Flame was snuffed out, closing this unforgettable chapter before passing the torch to Los Angeles 2028.
Flame Shines Bright Before Dramatic Extinguishing
From the moment it was lit at the Opening Ceremony, the Paris 2024 Cauldron dazzled day and night—illuminating the Jardins des Tuileries and the Paris skyline. It proved a smash hit with fans: 200,000 snapped up tickets to get close, while countless others lined the quays and bridges for a magical sunset view.
French artist Zaho de Sagazan and the Haendel-Hendrix Academy Choir paid homage to Edith Piaf with Sous le ciel de Paris, echoing Céline Dion’s Opening Ceremony tribute from the Eiffel Tower. As the Flying Cauldron was doused, four-time Olympic champ XX carried the Flame’s lantern from the Louvre to the Stade de France, retracing its journey in reverse.
Stade de France Hosts Star-Studded Closing Spectacle
The capital’s iconic landmarks—Eiffel Tower, Grand Palais, Château de Versailles and more—provided stunning backdrops throughout the Games. But the Stade de France was the ultimate stage for the Closing Ceremony. Director Thomas Jolly unleashed a feast of live performance elements—lighting, costumes, set design and jaw-dropping machinery—making it a night to remember.
The flag-bearers of 205 delegations entered to a roaring standing ovation, parading on a globe-shaped stage. All athletes then flooded the stadium together, mingling regardless of nationality, to the pulsating soundtrack from Justice and French rock legend Johnny Hallyday’s anthem Que je t’aime.
Historic First: Women’s Marathon Medallists Honoured
For the first time ever, the women’s marathon wrapped up the athletics competitions and its medallists took centre stage during the Closing Ceremony. This milestone symbolised Paris 2024’s drive for true gender equality in sports. Earlier that night, nearly 35,000 participants joined the inaugural ‘Marathon pour tous,’ a mass race that lit up the city’s streets under the stars.
Golden Voyager & Stunning Light Shows Bring Future Into Focus
As darkness fell, the Stade de France morphed into a surreal theatre. Enter the Golden Voyager—a character inspired by the 1977 Voyager Golden Record sent into space—a haunting symbol of a future without Olympic Games. Against epic music by Clément Mirguet, the show revisited the Games’ ancient roots and brought back iconic characters from the Opening Ceremony, including the masked Torchbearer and horsewoman.
Then came a spellbinding ballet of colossal Olympic Rings rising from the ground, transforming into acrobatic playgrounds. Over 100 performers wowed the crowd with parkour, breakdancing, circus acts and more, including the Paris Fire Brigade’s gymnasts. A levitating piano performance of the “Hymn to Apollo” added a breathtaking suspended moment.
Star-Studded Send-Off and Full House Tribute
The Olympic Rings hoisted high, athletes took the limelight in a final heartfelt act, celebrating unity and the Games’ highlights from the past fortnight. French band Phoenix opened the musical extravaganza, joined by Kavinsky, Angèle, Air, VannDa and Ezra Koenig—turning the stadium into a festival to end all festivals.
Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet paid tribute to everyone involved—from the passionate crowds, dedicated volunteers, and safety personnel, to the global sports community. “France has showed up. Tonight, I have never felt so proud to be French,” he declared, before inviting spectators to the upcoming Paralympic Games.
Flame Extinguished, Baton Passed to Los Angeles
The emotional finale saw Léon Marchand, flanked by Olympic legends including Eliud Kipchoge and Emma McKeon, extinguish the Olympic Flame. The Olympic flag was handed from Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo to IOC President Thomas Bach, who then passed it to Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass.
Los Angeles 2028 kicked off with a star-studded spectacle featuring Tom Cruise racing through Paris streets, bringing Hollywood magic to the closing night.
Paralympic Games Ready to Take Centre Stage
In a touching first, French Olympian Antoine Dupont passed the national flag to Team France’s Paralympians, symbolising the close bond between the Games. Led by chef de mission Michaël Jeremiasz, the Paralympic athletes received their moment to shine ahead of their own spectacular competition.
The ceremony closed with a haunting rendition of My Way by French singer Yseult, bridging France and the US, and bidding a poignant farewell to the Paris 2024 Olympics. See you in the stands for the Paralympic Games!
