A Spectacular Closing Ceremony
On Monday, France bid a reluctant farewell to the Paris Olympic 2024 Match. Athletes headed home, praising the event as a spectacular edition that revitalized the Olympic spirit. Hollywood star Tom Cruise added a touch of glamour at the closing ceremony. He abseiled into the national stadium, grabbed the Olympic flag, and jumped onto a motorbike. This thrilled the 71,500 spectators and thousands of dancing athletes.
Celebrating Success Amidst Concerns
The final act of the Paris Olympic 2024 Match relieved many. The event, initially overshadowed by fears of terror attacks, strikes, and protests, passed smoothly. However, there was also sadness as the two weeks of high-spirited celebration ended. France’s biggest sports newspaper, L’Equipe, urged the public to “Keep the flame alive.” The front-page headline featured new national swimming hero Leon Marchand, encouraging the French to maintain the spirit of the Games.
Athletes Head Home
At the Athletes’ Village in northern Paris, bleary-eyed athletes packed their bags after a late night. Paris’s main airports prepared for a huge influx of travelers and sports equipment. Magda Skarbonkiewicz, a Team USA fencer, expressed her awe at competing inside the Grand Palais. “It’s such an iconic venue and just nothing like I’ve ever seen before,” she told AFP.
Preparing for the Paralympics
Many praised temporary sports stadiums nestled among Paris’s landmarks. These will be used for the Paralympics, starting on August 28. Tickets are still available for these events.
IOC Praises Paris Olympics
During the closing ceremony, which emphasized peace in a troubled world, IOC President Thomas Bach praised the Paris Games. He called them “sensational” and humorously referred to them as “Seine-sational Games,” a pun on the river flowing through Paris.
Revitalizing the Olympics Brand
Observers saw Paris Olympic 2024 Match as crucial for the Olympics brand. The Games followed a Covid-affected edition in Tokyo and a corruption-tainted version in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Media commentary on Monday highlighted the uplifting impact of the Games on France’s national mood. Paris 2024 organizing chief Tony Estanguet told the cheering crowd that the Games had transformed “a nation of implacable complainers” into “unbridled supporters who don’t want to stop singing.”
Political Impact
Just weeks before the Olympics, snap elections called by President Emmanuel Macron plunged France into a political crisis. Macron, yet to appoint a prime minister, said the Olympics had shown the world “the true face of France.” Le Monde newspaper praised the Games for offering “fervour and happiness” during a politically troubled time. Sports writer Owen Slot in The Times noted that Paris had “made the Olympic Games look more beautiful than ever before.”
Looking Forward to LA 2028
The closing spectacle marked the start of the four-year countdown to the LA Games. American gymnastics icon Simone Biles joined Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass as the Olympic flag was handed over. The ceremony followed 17 days of drama-filled sporting action, featuring stars like Biles, American sprinter Noah Lyles, Pakistan’s javelin king Arshad Nadeem, and Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec.
Final Day and Medal Tally
The last day of sporting action saw the United States narrowly surpass China for the top spot in the medal count. The US women’s basketball team clinched the last gold of the Games by defeating France 67-66. The USA finished with 126 medals, while China secured second place with 91.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Paris Olympic 2024 Match ended on a high note despite initial concerns. The event revitalized the Olympic spirit and brought joy to a nation in a politically challenging time. As France bids farewell to the Games, the world looks forward to the next edition in Los Angeles. Stay updated with the latest Olympic 2024 News from IPL365.
