The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris have officially concluded, bringing to an end 19 days of breathtaking events, impressive athletic feats, and exhilarating cheers from spectators across the French capital and around the globe.
The Paris Games reached their zenith with a dazzling closing ceremony at Stade de France. Over 10,000 athletes paraded through the stadium, with Olympic gold medalists Katie Ledecky and Nick Mead leading Team USA as flag bearers.
The ceremony featured performances by indie band Phoenix and R&B sensation H.E.R., while Tom Cruise made a dramatic entrance, rappelling into the stadium to accept the Olympic flag before speeding away on a motorcycle, symbolizing the handover to the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
The grand finale marked the end of more than two weeks of intense competition, showcasing remarkable displays of strength and perseverance. Team USA excelled, securing an impressive 125 medals, including 40 golds.
Simone Biles, Suni Lee, and the U.S. women’s gymnastics team captivated audiences with their “redemption tour,” performing gravity-defying routines. Katie Ledecky earned four medals, becoming the most decorated American female Olympian. Track and field stars shone brightly, with Sha’Carri Richardson leading the U.S. women to relay gold, Noah Lyles claiming the title of fastest man in the world, and Gabby Thomas winning the women’s 200 meters. Cole Hocker, a 21-to-1 long shot, surprised everyone with his victory in the men’s 1,500 meters. Team USA also achieved first-ever gold medals in women’s fencing and cycling pursuit. American basketball and soccer teams, including NBA superstar Steph Curry, solidified their legendary status.
In many ways, Paris 2024 was a vibrant comeback from the scaled-back “Covid bubble” Games of Tokyo 2021 and Beijing 2022. Both TV viewers and in-person attendees were reminded of the joy of coming together.
“It has been one of the biggest global events since Covid, so it’s definitely a celebration,” said Olympic visitor Arial Su, 32, a Taiwanese native living in London. The Games also provided a break from political tensions in France and the West, including a turbulent U.S. presidential election and racial violence in Britain. Parisians experienced a brief moment of unity.
“I am Parisian, and despite the criticism beforehand, I didn’t expect it to be so amazing,” said Fanny Bonjean, 35, a journalist enjoying the atmosphere at La Concorde. “It’s so wonderful because, as French people, we can be very critical of each other, but right now everyone is incredibly happy and proud.”
