Paris Olympics 2024 concludes with grand closing ceremony and star-studded show
Paris Olympics 2024: The Paris Olympics 2024 concluded on a high note with a spectacular, star-studded closing ceremony on Sunday, featuring many famous athletes and artists celebrating the sport at its pinnacle.
The celebration began with a classic musical performance and France swimmer Leon Marchand carrying the Olympic torch in a lantern to the Stade de France.
The Parade of Nations began inside the stadium, much to the excitement and cheers of the thousands of fans who had gathered. The IOC Refugee and Olympic Team flag bearers, as well as France, led the way.
Indian shooter Manu Bhaker, a two-time bronze medallist in the Paris sporting extravaganza, and legendary hockey keeper PR Sreejesh, who played a critical role in India's second consecutive bronze medal at the Olympics with his otherworldly, clutch goalkeeping skills, arrived at the stadium as flag-bearers. The Olympics also marked Sreejesh's last international competition for India.
The last medal ceremony of the Olympics 2024 was held inside the stadium for the women's marathon competition, which was a wonderful and symbolic way to close the first Olympics with full gender equality. International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach and World Athletics President Sebastian Coe congratulated the medallists.
According to Olympics.com, the closing ceremony continued to entertain and mesmerise audiences with a visually stunning light show and a performance by The Golden Voyager, a character inspired by themes from French history, including the Spirit of the Bastille. As is customary, the Greek flag was flown during the performance to remind spectators that the multi-sport event originated in Greece, which hosted the inaugural Olympics in 1896 in Athens.
The Indian contingent finished 71st at the Paris Olympics 2024, with a silver medal and five bronze medals, for a total of six medals.
A contingent of 117 Indian athletes competed for medals and sporting glory at the prestigious event. India won six medals, including one silver and five bronze.
- With inputs from agencies
