The Paris 2024 Olympics came to a spectacular close with a closing ceremony at the Stade de France. Hollywood star Tom Cruise abseiled from the roof of the stadium, symbolically passing the Olympic flag to Los Angeles for the 2028 Games. The event featured performances by Red Hot Chili Peppers, Billie Eilish, and Snoop Dogg, and Dr Dre. International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach praised the Paris Games as “sport at its best” and called for a culture of peace in a war-torn world.
The US and China finished the Games with 40 gold medals each, but the US topped the table due to having more silver medals. American gymnast Simone Biles helped hand over the Olympic flag to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, marking the countdown to the 2028 Games. The ceremony was a celebration of humanity and the unifying power of sport, with over 9,000 athletes coming together to enjoy the night.
China’s vice chief of the delegation, Zhou Jinqiang, praised the country’s athletes for their record-breaking performance, earning a total of 91 medals. This marks China’s best overseas Olympics performance since 1984. Japan also celebrated its best-ever showing at an overseas Games, finishing in third place with 20 gold medals. The closing ceremony ended with a display of fireworks and a shared sense of accomplishment and unity among all participants.
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