The City of Lights transformed its majestic Stade de France into a grand celebration on Sunday night, marking the close of the Paris Olympics with a dazzling ceremony that blended French elegance with Hollywood flair. The baton was passed to Los Angeles, setting the stage for the 2028 Games with a star-studded finale.
The closing ceremony, which unfolded against the backdrop of a stadium that had housed a fortnight of sporting excellence, was nothing short of breathtaking. If the Seine-side opening ceremony had spotlighted Paris’s architectural wonders and cultural heritage, the finale kept pace with the city’s reputation for grandeur and innovation.
The mood of the evening was set by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach, who lauded the Games as “sensational from start to finish.” In his address, Bach praised the athletes for their sportsmanship and unity in a time of global division. “These Games have shown us what greatness we humans are capable of,” Bach said. “While we cannot create peace, we can foster a culture of peace that inspires the world.”
Among the night’s highlights was the much-speculated appearance of Hollywood megastar Tom Cruise. In a scene that seemed scripted by the silver screen, Cruise descended from the stadium’s heights to the iconic “Mission Impossible” theme song, greeting athletes as he made his way to the stage.
The actor then took the Olympic flag from gymnast Simone Biles and embarked on a cinematic journey through Paris streets on a motorcycle, delivering the flag to a cargo plane poised for its journey to Los Angeles.
The ceremonial journey of the Olympic flag continued stateside, with a cyclist handing it over to four-time Olympic gold medallist Michael Johnson in Los Angeles. Johnson’s jog through the city’s streets culminated in the flag being passed to skateboarding icon Jagger Eaton at Venice Beach, a nod to the vibrant spirit of LA.
The two-hour spectacle, masterminded by French director Thomas Jolly, began with a musical tribute to Paris, as singer Zaho de Sagazan performed the classic “Sous le ciel de Paris.”
The song, a symbol of the city, set the tone for an evening that would honour Paris’s storied past and its Olympic achievements.
Athletes from each of the 205 participating delegations then entered the stadium, with flag-bearers assembling on a central stage designed to resemble a planisphere.
The athletes, waving flags and mingling with one another, captured the essence of the Olympic spirit—one of unity and global camaraderie.
In a historic first for the Olympic Games, the women’s marathon took centre stage during the closing ceremony. As the race concluded, medals were awarded on the spot. It was a fitting end to a Games that had, throughout its duration, showcased the importance of equality in sport.
The ceremony also paid tribute to the 45,000 volunteers whose dedication made the Games a success. These volunteers, who had worked tirelessly behind the scenes, were given a place of honour alongside the athletes—a gesture that underscored the collaborative spirit of the Olympics.
As the night unfolded, the stadium was transformed by a stunning interplay of sound and light.
A golden voyager descended upon the scene, and Jolly’s mastery of the ‘chiaroscuro’ lighting effect—a technique using high-contrast light and dark—created a dreamlike atmosphere that captivated the audience. The experience was further elevated by the music of French composer Clément Mirguet.
A voice from history echoed through the stadium, recalling the birth of the modern Olympic Games in the late 19th century. The highlight of this segment was a choreographic ballet that brought the five Olympic rings to life, conceptualised by movement director Kevin Vivès. Jolly’s poetic recreation of the Games’ revival was both evocative and inspiring.
The ceremony’s most surreal moment came when Alain Roche, seated at a piano suspended vertically in mid-air, performed the “Hymn to Apollo.” This ancient Greek hymn, discovered in the ruins of Delphi, had first been performed at the 1894 International Congress in Paris, where the revival of the Olympic Games was proposed. Roche’s ethereal performance added a mystical dimension to the evening’s proceedings.
As the ceremony drew to a close, the iconic French band Phoenix took the stage, kicking off a grand party that saw athletes and artists alike joining in the celebration. The festive atmosphere was infectious, with the crowd swept up in the music and revelry.
IOC President Thomas Bach then returned to the stage for the ceremonial lowering of the Olympic flag. The flag was handed over to Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who passed it to Bach, and then to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. The handover ceremony was infused with the unmistakable flavour of Los Angeles, with Grammy-winning artist H.E.R. performing the US national anthem.
The segment dedicated to LA showcased the city’s most iconic backdrops, with mountain biking legend Kate Courtney guiding viewers through downtown Los Angeles to the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The sequence, which also featured track legend Michael Johnson, offered a glimpse of the city that will host the 2028 Olympics.
Southern California’s music icons, including Snoop Dogg, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Dr. Dre, took the reins for the final act, turning the closing ceremony into a beachside bash that was quintessentially LA.
India’s representation at the Games, though modest, was significant. With a contingent of 117 athletes, including 47 women, the country ended its campaign with six medals.
Notably, shooter Manu Bhaker secured bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol and in the 10m air pistol mixed team event with Sarabjot Singh. PR Sreejesh and Manu Bhaker proudly carried the Indian flag during the Parade of Nations.
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