KATHMANDU: Tom Cruise made a spectacular appearance to accept the Olympic flag during the Paris 2024 Olympics closing ceremony by rappelling down the Stade de France, France's primary stadium. Grammy-winning musician H.E.R, who hinted at the Mission Impossible soundtrack, complimented the Hollywood flair and brought a dash of glitz to the occasion as Paris turned over the Games to Los Angeles.
The grand finale of Paris 2024 featured a fusion of classic and contemporary design elements, highlighting the city's famous sites such as the Palace of Versailles and the Eiffel Tower. The Rio 2016 Games and the COVID-19-affected Tokyo 2020 event had caused the Olympic spirit to fade, but the Olympics brought it back. The French capital welcomed the Olympic zeal, with Paris 2024 chief Tony Estanguet emphasizing how the country had changed from one of haters to ardent supporters.
There was fierce competition during the Games, especially between China and the US for the top medal table slot. The highlight of the gold medal game was the American women's basketball team's tight triumph over France. Global tensions and France's increased security measures were major concerns throughout the celebration, despite the celebratory atmosphere.
IOC President Thomas Bach praised the athletes for fostering a culture of peace despite global conflicts. The closing ceremony transitioned to a prerecorded video of Cruise skydiving to the Hollywood sign, followed by a beach party in LA featuring performances by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg, and Dr. Dre. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass acknowledged the high standards set by Paris and the challenges ahead for the next host city.
France’s Olympic journey was marked by memorable performances, including French swimmer Leon Marchand’s four gold medals and judoka Teddy Riner’s fifth Olympic gold. Simone Biles made a triumphant return, winning three gold medals. The Paris Games also introduced breaking to the Olympic stage and featured the return of 3x3 basketball, sports climbing, skateboarding, and surfing. Despite some controversies, such as doping allegations and gender eligibility issues in boxing, the Games were largely successful, with Paris benefiting from a major $1.5 billion clean-up of the Seine, ensuring a smooth competition for triathlon and marathon swimmers.
