Paris bid adieu to two and a half weeks of Olympic sports and emotion with a star-studded closing ceremony at the Stade de France on Sunday, passing the torch to Los Angeles for the 2028 Summer Games. The ceremony featured Hollywood showmanship, with Tom Cruise descending from the stadium’s top, taking the Olympic flag from gymnast Simone Biles, and driving off on a motorcycle.
The closing ceremony celebrated Paris’ first Games in a century with artistic shows, golden fireworks, and thousands of athletes partying. Los Angeles plans to showcase its star power with performances by Billie Eilish, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and rapper Snoop Dogg. The event closed with athletes from 205 countries marching in unity, emphasizing peace in a world marked by conflict.
The Games ended with the awarding of the final medals, all to women in the women’s marathon, highlighting Paris’ commitment to gender parity. The U.S. team topped the medal table with 126 total medals, including three golds from gymnast Simone Biles. Despite criticisms of the opening ceremony, the closing ceremony celebrated Olympic symbols and themes, serving as a fitting conclusion to the Paris Games’ success.
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