August 11th 2024.
As the final week of the Olympic Games in Paris came to a close, the city was buzzing with excitement and emotion. The grand finale was set to take place in France's national stadium, with a star-studded show to mark the end of the two and a half week event. The baton was to be passed to the next host city, Los Angeles, who would take on the responsibility of hosting the Summer Games in 2028.
Rumors were circulating that Hollywood legend Tom Cruise would make an appearance in the closing ceremony, as he had been spotted around town during the final weekend. Unlike the rainy opening ceremony on July 26, the weather for the closing ceremony was perfect, with the sun shining down on the stadium.
The ceremony kicked off with a powerful performance of "Under the Skies of Paris," a song that has been sung by the likes of Edith Piaf. The crowd erupted in cheers as French swimmer Léon Marchand, dressed in a suit and tie instead of his usual swim trunks, was shown on the giant screens collecting the Olympic flame from the Tuileries Gardens in Paris. The flame, which had been powered by electricity instead of fossil fuels, had been a source of wonder and amazement for the duration of the Games, rising into the sky on a balloon every night.
It was clear that Los Angeles had big shoes to fill, as Paris had put on a spectacular show for its first Games in 100 years. The city's iconic landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower, had become Olympic stars in their own right, serving as backdrops and even venues for some of the competitions.
But Los Angeles was ready to bring its own star power to the table. The closing ceremony would feature performances from singer Billie Eilish, rapper and Paris Olympics regular Snoop Dogg, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, all of whom were California natives. The audience, expected to be over 70,000 people, would also be treated to a live performance of the US national anthem by H.E.R., as well as a showcase of Olympic track and field and rugby sevens at the Stade de France.
As the night fell, athletes from 205 countries and territories marched into the stadium, waving their flags and displaying a sense of global unity in a world that has been plagued by conflicts and tensions. The stadium screens displayed the words "Together, united for peace," as the 9,000 athletes and team members danced and cheered to the music.
The Stade de France holds a special significance in French history, as it was one of the targets of the 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris. The joy and celebrations that filled the city during the Games were a testament to its resilience and recovery from that tragic night. As the closing ceremony came to a close, the last medals were awarded to the winners of the women's marathon, fittingly representing the first Olympics to prioritize gender parity.
The United States once again topped the medal table, with an impressive 126 medals, 40 of which were gold. Gymnast Simone Biles, who had made headlines for prioritizing her mental health during the Tokyo Olympics, had a triumphant return to the podium, winning three gold medals for her team.
After the controversy surrounding the opening ceremony, which had been criticized by some for poking fun at Christianity, all eyes were on the closing ceremony to see if there would be any more surprises. The artistic director, Thomas Jolly, and his team had received death threats and online abuse, with many accusing them of parodying "The Last Supper" in one of the segments. However, Jolly and his team maintained that it was never their intention and received support from French President Emmanuel Macron, who denounced the backlash against them.
As the Olympic flame was extinguished and the athletes said their farewells, the city of Paris had truly proven itself as a worthy host of the Games, showcasing its beauty, resilience, and passion for sport. And now, it was Los Angeles' turn to take on the challenge and make its mark on the Olympic stage.
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