The Paris Olympics 2024 concluded with a dazzling closing ceremony that featured a science fiction-inspired light show and a headline act by Tom Cruise. The event, held at the Stade de France, was designed to celebrate the Olympic spirit and deliver a message of unity in a world facing challenges.
The ceremony began with a mysterious golden intergalactic traveler wandering through a futuristic landscape, symbolizing the resurrection of the Olympic spirit. Ghostly dancers and acrobats descended from the stadium roof, performing on giant Olympic rings as Swiss musician Alain Roche played “Hymn to Apollo” on a vertically suspended piano. French singer Yseult gave a stunning performance of “My Way,” highlighting the connection between France and the United States.
Celebrating the Spirit of the Games- Paris Olympics
Paris used the ceremony to emphasize the importance of preserving the spirit of the Olympics. Thomas Jolly, the theater and opera director behind the event, described it as a celebration of “respect and tolerance” in a fragile world. The ceremony included thousands of athletes, volunteers, and spectators who joined together in a joyous display of unity, singing anthems like “Freed from Desire” and “We are the Champions.”
The event also featured the Olympic cauldron, a dramatic ring of fire suspended from a balloon, which became a new landmark in Paris. The cauldron was extinguished by Léon Marchand, France’s star swimmer and gold medalist, in a moment of high drama.
A Star-Studded Transfer to Los Angeles
Tom Cruise’s dramatic entrance, abseiling into the stadium and riding off with the Olympic flag on a motorbike, set a Hollywood tone for the transfer of the Games to Los Angeles in 2028. The Mission: Impossible star’s appearance highlighted the connection between the two host cities.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, the first black female mayor to receive the Olympic flag, acknowledged the high bar set by Paris but expressed confidence in her city’s ability to host a successful Games. The Los Angeles Games aim to showcase the diversity and international character of the city.
A Unique and Memorable Olympic Experience
The Paris Olympics aimed to reinvent the Games by bringing sport out of the stadium and into the city center. The event featured picturesque venues like beach volleyball under the Eiffel Tower and equestrian events at the Chateau of Versailles, attracting record ticket sales and TV viewership.
In a celebration of women in sport, the women’s marathon winners were awarded their medals at the closing ceremony, with the Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan taking gold. The marathon course retraced a historic route from Paris to Versailles, highlighting the role of women in shaping history.
A Fitting Conclusion to the Games
The closing ceremony, despite facing challenges such as online threats to the creative team, was overwhelmingly successful in France. It capped off a historic and memorable Olympic Games, leaving a legacy of unity and celebration for future hosts to build upon.
