The Paris Summer Olympics concluded on Sunday with a closing ceremony that celebrated both the athletic achievements and the rich cultural heritage of France. This time, the spotlight was on sporting records, with a nod to the English term "records," meaning archives or recordings. The event was once again directed by Thomas Jolly, who had also overseen the artistic direction of the grand opening ceremony.
We preserved every freedom because this country is the land of creative freedom Jolly had assured the AFP after the opening ceremony, which, while spectacular, had sparked some controversy.
The closing festivities began at the Tuileries Garden with Zaho de Sagazan's rendition of the French classic "Sous le ciel de Paris."
Léon Marchand then made a grand entrance, dressed in a suit and tie, to receive the Olympic flame and carry it into the stadium. Marchand, who broke several of Michael Phelps' Olympic records in front of an already adoring crowd, has truly risen to the status of a national hero.
Léon Marchand, holding the Olympic lantern, made his way through the Tuileries Garden. The French delegation had earlier named rugby player Antoine Dupont and cyclist Pauline Ferrand-Prévot as the flag bearers for the ceremony, knowing that Marchand would play an even more central role in the event.
Following a reimagined performance of the French national anthem, the flag bearers from all participating countries entered the stadium in two distinct rows.
Summer McIntosh and Ethan Katzberg carried the Canadian flag, representing a delegation that achieved its highest medal count in history for non-boycotted Games, with a total of 27 medals.
McIntosh herself contributed to this record by winning three gold medals and one silver in the pool, while Katzberg triumphed in the hammer throw with a commanding lead over his competitors.
The top three marathon runners, the final event of the Games, had the opportunity to receive their medals in front of all their peers.
Dutch athlete Sifan Hassan took gold with an Olympic record time of 2 hours, 22 minutes, and 55 seconds, adding to her previous bronze medals in the 5000m and 10,000m events.
The narrative conceived by Jolly then unfolded under a thunderous drumbeat. After a few minutes, French dancer Arthur Cadre, portraying a golden-clad interstellar traveler, took center stage on the lawn. The "Golden Voyager" discovered the remnants of the Olympic Games in a distant future where they had disappeared and embarked on a mission to restore them. This was a vibrant tribute to athletes, a celebration of the Olympic spirit, and a projection into a future where Olympic values continue to shine in a spectacular fusion of light and movement, according to Jolly.
The narrative concluded with the elevation of five golden Olympic rings, raised by more than a hundred choreographers.
Musical performances by Angèle, Kavinsky, and the band Phoenix, among others, added to the event's festivities.
"These have been sensational Olympic Games from start to finish, or should I say, Seine-sational Games," joked International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, who will step down in 2025.
The Seine River had been the subject of much discussion in recent months due to the challenges of its decontamination and its suitability for hosting the triathlon and open-water swimming events.
In a symbolic handover from Paris to Los Angeles, which will host the next Summer Olympics in 2028, the spotlight shifted to Tom Cruise, who descended from the stadium roof.
The American actor took the Olympic flag from gymnastics star Simone Biles and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, before symbolically departing the stage on a motorcycle, signaling his journey to the Californian metropolis. The Games will be held in Los Angeles for the third time, following the 1932 and 1984 editions.
Across the Atlantic, the legendary rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, along with renowned Californian artists Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, and Billie Eilish, performed on the beach in front of a few hundred people. The concert was broadcast live to the Stade de France.
The Olympic flame was extinguished at 5:58 p.m. (EDT), with Marchand, Bach, and athletes representing the five continents blowing it out. The flame will be relit for the start of the Paralympic Games on August 28.
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