Paris – The Paris Olympics 2024 concluded in style on Sunday with a dazzling closing ceremony at the Stade de France. The event began with a musical performance, followed by French swimmer Leon Marchand arriving with the Olympic torch.
The parade of nations commenced, led by the IOC Refugee and Olympic Teams and France's flag bearers. Indian athletes Manu Bhaker and legendary hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh proudly carried the Indian flag. This marked Sreejesh’s last international tournament for India.
The final medal ceremony featured the women’s marathon, emphasizing the historic milestone of full gender equality at these Olympics. IOC President Thomas Bach and World Athletics President Sebastian Coe presented the medals.
A mesmerizing light show and a performance by **The Golden Voyager**—a character inspired by French history—captivated the audience. The Greek flag, symbolizing the Olympics' roots in Greece, was displayed. The Olympic rings, representing the five continents, were dramatically revealed during the performance.
Musical performances by French indie-rock band Phoenix and electronic artist Kavinsky further energized the crowd. Tony Estanguet, President of the Paris 2024 Organising Committee, thanked the athletes and looked forward to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Bach officially declared the Games over, and Marchand extinguished the torch.
Medal Standings:
- USA: 126 medals (40 gold, 44 silver, 42 bronze)
- China: 91 medals (40 gold, 27 silver, 24 bronze)
- Japan: 45 medals (20 gold, 12 silver, 13 bronze)
- India: 71st place with 6 medals (1 silver, 5 bronze)
