Sunday, 22 December 2024
Sunday, 22 December 2024
The Paris 2024 Games came to a close like they started, in the rain, but amidst a festive atmosphere with an electro-party at the Stade de France to conclude the Paralympics on Sunday.
Some 24 French DJs, including electronic music pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre as well as Cassius, played in the final part of the event.
Earlier, the 169 delegations paraded to the tunes of French classics which got the spectators singing along.
Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo handed the Paralympic flag to International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons, who then presented it to the mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass - the first Black woman mayor to receive the Paralympic flag during the closing ceremony.
The Parade of Nations began with flagbearers from all the participating nations taking centre stage in alphabetical order. Preethi Pal who won India's first medal in women's 100m and Harvinder Singh who clinched India's first gold para archery were the flag bearers for the country at the closing ceremony and were welcomed by the band of Republican Guards.
The American national anthem was performed by Ali Stroker.
"Nobody wants these Games to come to an end," Paris 2024 president Tony Estanguet said as Paris passes the baton to Los Angeles for the next Summer Games.
"We beat a lot of records so tonight let's beat another one. I'm asking you to give the para athletes the longest, loudest, craziest ovation they ever received," he added to deafening cheers from the 64,000 spectators, in sharp contrast to boos from the crowd when French President Emmanuel Macron appeared.
Estanguet also urged the spectators and viewers not to forget "this summer when France was happy." During the closing ceremony, the chief organiser said, "This summer, France had a date with history, and the country showed up". Estanguet supervised the entire ordeal during the ceremony.
The International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons said France set a "benchmark" for future Games.
Renowned French singer Santa was one of the centre of attractions during the closing ceremony. She performed Vivre pour le Meilleur to the delight of the local crowd in attendance for the momentous occasion.
The Olympic cauldron, which was supposed to be lifted up in the sky in a hot-air balloon one last time from the Jardin des Tuileries near the Louvre Museum, was grounded due to the rain, before the flame was put out, the only sad note of the night.
