For two weeks, Olympic athletes captivated the sports world with extraordinary performances, moments of vulnerability and honesty in defeat. Away from the field of play, whether it was Olympians showcasing their personality, jostling with fans on social media or a famous ambassador dancing with a horse, the Olympic Games had something for everyone.
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As with every Olympics, when the final event concludes, a celebration to honor the athletes’ achievements occurs — the closing ceremony. One final chance for the athletes to parade into the stadium and represent their respective countries. It’s also a chance to say goodbye to the current Games and look ahead to the next one, which will be four years from now in Los Angeles.
In the end, the flame is extinguished, marking the conclusion of the Summer Olympics.
The closing ceremony had its share of memorable moments. Here are some of the highlights from Sunday’s festivities in Paris:
In true Top Gun and Mission: Impossible fashion, Tom Cruise escorts the Olympic flag from Paris to Los Angeles.
Rappelling and motorcycle not included. pic.twitter.com/vz35PqBhtO
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) August 11, 2024
An ode to Los Angeles
It started with H.E.R.’s rendition of the “Star-Spangled Banner.” Then the camera shot up to the roof of Stade de France, where actor Tom Cruise stood, before he descended to the ground in a memorable stunt.
In true “Top Gun” and “Mission: Impossible” fashion, Cruise escorted the Olympic flag on a motorcycle from Paris to Los Angeles, standing underneath the Hollywood sign, which also featured the Olympic rings.
How did Snoop Dogg get back to LA so fast?? #ParisOlympics | #ClosingCeremony pic.twitter.com/w5GZCTrvg7
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 11, 2024
From the Hollywood sign, the camera moved to the L.A. beaches, where the Red Hot Chili Peppers got the crowd hyped with “Can’t Stop.” Nine-time Grammy Award winner Billie Eilish performed “Birds of a Feather” before Snoop Dogg took the stage. He rapped his famous song “Drop It Like It’s Hot” before joining Dr. Dre for an epic performance of “The Next Episode.”
It was a “Lights, Camera, Action!” sequence that shined the stars of Los Angeles. In four years (1,433 days), the LA 2028 Games will be a movie to remember.
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Leon Marchand carries Olympic lantern
Leon Marchand created some of the most noteworthy moments from the Paris Olympics. He delivered exceptional performances in the pool, winning five medals (four gold, one bronze).
The 22-year-old Frenchman traded his swimsuit for a suit and tie Sunday. At the Jardins des Tuileries, Marchand walked up to the hot air balloon where the Olympic cauldron was located for the past two weeks. He grabbed the lantern, proceeding to Stade de France for the closing ceremony. Once at Stade de France, Marchand helped extinguish the flame in the lantern, the symbolic conclusion to the Paris Olympics.
(Franck Fife / AFP via Getty Images)
It’s fitting that Marchand, who generated the loudest cheers at the Olympics, would start and finish the closing ceremony.
Parade of Athletes
During the opening ceremony, athletes from participating countries traveled along the River Seine in boats.
The closing ceremony returned to a stadium location, at Stade de France. The flag bearers came out as one, waving their flags with pride, before the athletes of the various delegations joined them.
While the parade of nations in the opening ceremony is staggered, with officials announcing each country, the closing ceremony has all the countries enter together.
Team USA flagbearers Katie Ledecky and Nick Mead take us inside the Closing Ceremony with Mike Tirico and Jimmy Fallon.
📺 #ParisOlympics on NBC and Peaco*ck pic.twitter.com/g2hxqlLJ0q
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 11, 2024
Katie Ledecky and Nick Mead were the U.S. closing ceremony flag bearers. Ledecky won four medals in Paris, including two golds. Mead won gold in the men’s coxless four rowing competition.
It turned into a party atmosphere, with athletes showing off their medals, taking photos and singing Queen’s “We Are the Champions.”
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Hassan receives her gold
On Sunday morning, Sifan Hassan captured gold in the women’s marathon, with an Olympic record time of 2:22.55. It was Hassan’s third medal of these Olympics, after winning bronze in the 5,000- and 10,000-meter races.
On Sunday night at the Stade de France, Hassan, silver medalist Tigst Assefa and bronze medalist Hellen Obiri received their medals at the closing ceremony. It was the first time the women’s marathon had its medal ceremony during the closing ceremony.
Hassan accepted her medal from International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach while wearing a hijab. France has earned criticism during these Games for prohibiting its athletes from wearing hijabs while competing at the Olympics.
(David Davies/ PA Images via Getty Images)
Golden Voyager forms Olympic rings
The opening ceremony had several “tableaus” highlighting various elements of French history and culture.
During the closing ceremony, the lights went dark as a figure floated into the stadium, known as the “Golden Voyager.” The performance depicted a dystopian future with no Olympics. The “Golden Voyager,” a tribute to French heritage, saw the Greece flag, discovering the history of the Olympics. The “Golden Voyager” encountered Nike, the goddess of victory, which is linked to the ancient Olympic Games.
As the performance progressed, it symbolized the awakening and rediscovery of the Olympic spirit. The various dancers rotated big circles, which were then elevated to form the Olympic rings. The Olympic rings hung over the stage at Stade de France for the duration of the closing ceremony. The dancers elevated the “Golden Voyager,” before fireworks went off on the Stade de France roof.
International artists take center stage
Lady GaGa and Celine Dion were among the highlights of the opening ceremony with their captivating performances.
The trend of musical artists continued during the closing ceremony. It started with the French band Phoenix, which kicked off the party with “Lisztomania,” as athletes made a circle around them. Kavinsky continued the festivities with “Nightcall.”
French artist Yseult ends the Closing Ceremony the only way Paris knows how to. 🎆#ParisOlympics | #ClosingCeremony pic.twitter.com/4Yc7o4ulV3
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 11, 2024
VannDa, a Cambodian rapper, got the crowd pumped up with “Time to Rise.” Even Thomas Mars, the lead singer for Phoenix, danced with the French athletes.
It ended with Yseult’s heartfelt rendition of “My Way” putting a bow on the Paris Olympics.
Required reading
- Best moments of 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony: Teddy Riner, Marie-José Pérec light the torch, Celine Dion and more
- Paris Olympics in pictures: 32 captivating photos from each event of the Summer Games
(Photo: Michael Kappeler / picture alliance via Getty Images)
Lukas Weese is a Staff Editor of News at The Athletic. Before The Athletic, Lukas was a freelance sports journalist, working as an associate editor at Sportsnet, an OHL reporter for the Toronto Star and had bylines in outlets such as ESPN's Andscape, USA Today, Complex, Yahoo Sports, GOLF Magazine, Just Women's Sports and Raptors Republic. Lukas also does freelance play-by-play broadcasting. Follow Lukas on Twitter @Weesesports
