Au Revoir: Paris Bids Olympics Farewell With Jubilant Closing Ceremony

Paris, we are going to miss you.

The past two weeks have been nothing short of amazing. The entire world stood still (or so it has felt) to witness some of the greatest sporting achievements of the 2024 Olympic Games. Unforgettable performances went viral, winning moments were celebrated globally, and national pride was put on full display in Paris 2024.

It’s bittersweet to see it all come to a close.

On Monday, August 12 (Philippine time), the athletes of the 2024 Summer Games gathered in Stade de France to commemorate the feats that they have all accomplished in the span of 17 days — some represented in medals, others in personal records, but what they all have in common is the fact that they can say that they have represented their countries to the best of their abilities.

As the Olympic Flame made its way into Stade de France carried by Léon Marchand, the most successful Paris Olympian who finished with four golds, 9,000 athletes followed suit and took one final lap around the modern-looking stage in the shape of a world map.

The delegates all waved their country’s flags with pride, the podium finishers brightening up the stadium with the shine of their medals. They were all greeted by the loud fans that filled up the seats from top to bottom.

Each participating nation also bestowed the honor of being the Closing Ceremony flagbearer to the delegate who helped them achieve success in the Games. The Philippines, a nation that reached its most successful Olympic year by winning two gold medals and two bronzes, awarded this honor to two-time gold medalist Carlos Yulo and bronze medalist Aira Villegas.

In the end, it was the United States who came out on top of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Winning a total of 126 medals, 40 of them gold, they took first place overall. They were followed by China, who also won 40 golds and a total of 91 medals, and Japan in third, with 20 golds.

The Paris 2024 Closing Ceremony, however, was more than just a celebration of athletic success. It was also a celebration of a city that transformed into the biggest sporting stage, and during the ceremony, all the volunteers who dedicated their time to the running of the Games were celebrated onstage in front of thousands of fans in the stands.

After all the athletes and volunteers marched into Stade de France, and the sun had set on the Paris Games one final time, the stadium went dark to kick off a dramatic final performance filled with Olympic symbols — a famous sculpture of Nike, the Greek Goddess of victory, the rising of the Olympic rings, and musical performances that celebrated French culture and the Games’ ancient origins.

The stage came to life as lights glittered all around the stadium, transforming Stade de France into a theater, a microcosm of the entire Paris Olympics, as the city was fully transformed into the world’s biggest sporting stage for the last two weeks.

Athletes and fans were also treated to live music to cap off an incredible journey. One of the biggest surprises was definitely the appearance of the popular French band Phoenix, whose performance of the hit song Lisztomania prompted fans and athletes to loudly sing along.

The theatrical performances were then followed by the official turnover from the Paris 2024 organizing committee to Los Angeles 2028. And who better to hand over the Olympic assignment than Tom Cruise? We loved the Mission Impossible reference.

All in all, Paris hosted one of the most memorable Olympic Games of this generation, and while it is bittersweet to see the curtains draw here, this also marks an exciting countdown to the Los Angeles Olympics 2028.

And the parties in LA are already getting started!

Banner image from AFP.