Paris bids farewell to Olympics with stunning closing ceremony

The Olympic flame was extinguished Sunday as French swimmer Léon Marchand took one last breath, bringing an end to the Paris Summer Games.

According to a report on NPR, the closing ceremony at Stade de France capped off more than two weeks of memorable competition, held at some of France's most iconic venues, including the Eiffel Tower and Palace of Versailles.

These Games were historic for several reasons. American swimmer Katie Ledecky became the most decorated female Olympian of all time, adding four medals to her collection for a total of 14. Meanwhile, French swimmer Léon Marchand emerged as a new star in the sport. U.S. gymnasts, led by Simone Biles, redeemed themselves on the world stage, and St. Lucia celebrated its first-ever Olympic medal in the 100-meter dash.

The ceremony, which transformed the stadium from a site of athletic competition into a concert venue, welcomed more than 71,000 spectators—the first Olympics with no COVID-19 restrictions. The absence of protocols brought a renewed energy to the event, though infections were reported.

French singer Zaho de Sagazan opened the program with a solemn performance of "Sous le ciel de Paris," accompanied by a choir dressed in black. The mood soon lifted as the traditional parade of athletes from 205 nations entered the stadium. American athletes Katie Ledecky and Nick Mead carried the U.S. flag, while Greek athletes Emmanouil Karalis and Evangelia Platanioti waved their nation's flag. Notably, Team USA and Team China stood side by side, singing "We Are The Champions" after tying in the gold medal count.

In a historic first, the medal ceremony for the women's marathon was held during the closing ceremony. Dutch runner Sifan Hassan took gold with an Olympic record time of 2:22:55, after already winning two bronze medals in the 5,000- and 10,000-meter races. The moment underscored the Games' goal of gender parity but also highlighted the controversy surrounding Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who faced online attacks over her gender before winning gold.

The event also honored the volunteers who made the Paris Games possible. The teal-clad crew worked tirelessly behind the scenes, from grooming the beach volleyball sand to clearing hurdles from the track.

A dramatic segment featured a gold figure, "The Golden Voyager," descending into the stadium, symbolizing the revival of the ancient Olympic Games. The performance, which included dancers transforming steel rings into the Olympic symbol, bridged the past and present.

French pop-rock band Phoenix, alongside artists Air and Kavinsky, brought a contemporary flair to the ceremony with performances of hits like "Lisztomania." The ceremony concluded with a symbolic handoff to Los Angeles, the next host city, in a cinematic sequence featuring Tom Cruise. The Hollywood star rappelled into the stadium to receive the Olympic flag from Simone Biles, then appeared in a video navigating Paris and skydiving onto the Hollywood sign.

In Los Angeles, the flag was carried by mountain biker Kate Courtney and sprinter Michael Johnson through the city's streets. The handoff ended with a beachside concert featuring Red Hot Chili Peppers, Billie Eilish, and Snoop Dogg, marking the start of the countdown to the 2028 Games.

The Paris Olympics will be remembered not only for their stunning venues and athletic achievements but also for the spirit of unity and celebration they brought to the world.

[Information sourced from NPR]