August 11th 2024.
As the sun sets on the beautiful city of Paris, the 2024 Olympics are coming to a close on Sunday. It has been an eventful and historic Games, filled with breathtaking performances and surprising victories.
One of the most memorable moments was the triumphant return of U.S. gymnastics star Simone Biles, who added two more gold medals to her collection, bringing her total to an impressive seven. French swimmer Léon Marchand also made a name for himself, winning an impressive five medals, including four golds, and being compared to the legendary Michael Phelps. And who could forget Armand "Mondo" Duplantis, who not only won another gold medal, but also broke the world record for the ninth time, much to the delight of the 80,000 spectators at the Stade de France, which will also be the location of Sunday's closing ceremony.
But perhaps the most thrilling moment was when Sha'Carri Richardson rallied in the anchor leg to secure a victory for the U.S. in the 4x100 meter relay, earning her first Olympic gold medal. Along with her teammates Twanisha Terry, Gabrielle Thomas, and Melissa Jefferson, they celebrated their win in front of a cheering crowd at the Stade de France.
Another heartwarming story was that of boxer Imane Khelif of Algeria, who won a gold medal despite facing misconceptions about her gender. And for the first time in Olympic history, breaking made its debut, with Japan's b-girl Ami taking home the gold.
The Paris Games have been a visual feast, with events taking place in iconic locations such as the Eiffel Tower and the Seine River. However, there were some challenges in holding events in the polluted river. But overall, the organizers have successfully showcased the beauty of the French capital.
As the Games draw to a close, the United States is leading the medal standings, followed by China. Australia, Japan, Britain, and France are all in contention for the third spot. The final event before the closing ceremony will be the women's basketball gold medal game between the U.S. and France, which is scheduled to take place at 3:30 p.m. CEST at the Bercy Arena.
Speaking of the closing ceremony, it is set to begin at 9 p.m. CEST on Sunday at the Stade de France. The ceremony is expected to last until 11:15 p.m. CEST and will feature traditional highlights such as the athletes' parade and the handover of the Olympic flag to the organizers of the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Five-time Grammy winner H.E.R. will also perform the U.S. national anthem live at the Stade de France as part of the handover. Additionally, there will be a medal presentation for the women's marathon that took place earlier in the day.
For those who want to catch the closing ceremony, it will air on NBC and Peacock. And although it may be a more traditional setting compared to the audacious opening ceremony, it promises to be anything but dull. With the same artistic director, Thomas Jolly, at the helm, the organizers have promised a show featuring over a hundred performers, acrobats, dancers, and circus artists. Musical performances and the participation of world-renowned singers will add to the spectacle, as well as aerial acts, stunning sets, and dazzling lighting effects that will take the audience on a journey through time.
In the words of Jolly, the closing ceremony will be a "very visual, very choreographic, very acrobatic show with an operatic dimension to give a great visual fresco and say goodbye to athletes from all over the world." And as we bid farewell to the 2024 Olympics in Paris, we can only look forward to the excitement and wonder that the 2028 Los Angeles Games will bring.
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