Impressive photos of the Paris Olympics closing ceremony

Tom Cruise flew in from the top of the Stade de France and scooped up the Olympic flag at the Paris Olympics closing ceremony. It was a symbolic scene to end the 2024 Olympics and look forward to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

In a ceremony that was much more traditional than the opening in the center of Paris 17 days earlier, the American actor was one of the main surprises. He also brought a motorbike.

His stunts reminded us of the 'Mission: Impossible' movies which also, at times, take place in Paris. Especially the 2018 installment 'Fallout' was filmed in several famous Parisian locations.

The location in question during this night was the Stade de France where the athletics competition of the Olympics had taken place. It accommodates around 80,000 visitors.

The closing ceremony featured acrobats, dancers, a choir and orchestra, and laser shows. A Golden Voyager, designed by artistic director Thomas Jolly, "lands in a world that is deserted and mysterious, ready to explore," the IOC said in an official press statement.

Jolly was also responsible for sci-fi-inspired characters at the opening ceremony of the Olympics - a dynamic show that took place in and on the historic buildings of the Paris center.

The opening ceremony was a bit controversial, though, with a headless Marie Antoinette, a flirting trio, and a scene that many interpreted as The Last Supper. Critics called it an 'insult' to the Christian religion.

As the French organizers said, the controversial scene was a Greek bacchanal with the god Dionysus as the main dish. But that didn't really calm the critics. They considered this and certain other parts of the opening ceremony 'too woke'.

Meanwhile, the closing ceremony had traditional elements of the Olympics in it, just like the opening. The Olympic Flame that had been lit on July 26 was extinguished at the closing.

There was a parade of athletes and their nations' flagbearers, walking around the stadium instead of floating on boats.

The characteristic French medal design, which includes a part of the Eiffel Tower, was featured in the ceremony's decor. From afar, the grey plateaus represented the continents of the globe.

The national flagbearers for the closing ceremony are generally big names in sports. For example, Katie Ledecky, swim champion with four medals, represented the US alongside rower Nick Mead.

Another striking flagbearer at the closing ceremony was Algerian boxer Imane Khelif. She had won gold in the 66kg category in the face of criticism and bullying. Analysts and viewers from all over the world had claimed she had too much testosterone to compete among women. However, the IOC confirmed that she is, was, and will be, essentially and biologically, a woman.

One of the most important disciplines of the Games, the women's marathon, had its medal ceremony in the Stade de France. Sifan Hassan from The Netherlands won gold. Choosing to hand over the medals at the closing ceremony was a way to give the spotlight to female athletes.

As the Paris Games were officially closed, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and gymnastics superstar Simone Biles took over the flag and organization of the Summer Olympics.

In a symbolic transition from Paris to Los Angeles, the host of the 2028 Summer Olympics, several Californian artists played at the closing ceremony. Some were on-scene in the French capital, while others appeared via satellite or prerecorded show from LA.

Image: Jesus Curiel / Unsplash

H.E.R. performed the US national anthem in Paris.

Snoop Dog, who had been in Paris throughout the Olympic event, commenting for NBC and cheering up all types of sporting disciplines, also performed at the closing ceremony.

From Los Angeles, Billie Eilish contributed to the star-studded closing ceremony.

She shared the poster with legendary alternative rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers. They, too, stayed in LA. No jet lag for these guys!

French pop icons like Air and Phoenix performed in the stadium, while Belgian singer Angele and American musician Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend made guest appearances.

The French singer-songwriter Yseult carried out the grand finale of the evening. She sang 'My Way,' a song known for its interpretation by Frank Sinatra but originally recorded by a Frenchman, Claude François. It was a beautiful ending to an evening that celebrated union in the world.

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