Paris Closes the Curtain on an Unforgettable Olympics with a Stunning Sendoff

Paris’ Olympic Legacy: City Celebrates a Successful Games with a Vibrant Goodbye.

Paris(Staff Reporter): Paris Closes the Curtain on an Unforgettable Olympics with a Stunning Sendoff. Paris prepared to give a triumphant “au revoir” to the Olympics on Sunday, marking the end of what was widely celebrated as one of the most remarkable editions of the Games ever hosted. The closing ceremony, featuring a star-studded lineup, kicked off in front of approximately 71,500 spectators at the Stade de France, bringing an acclaimed and unforgettable Olympic event to a spectacular close.

Around 270 artists and performers were set to light up the packed arena, with about 9,000 athletes anticipated to march into the venue.

The ceremony kicked off with French swimming sensation Léon Marchand, who won four gold medals at these Games, retrieving the Olympic flame from the central cauldron in Paris to start its journey to the Stade de France.

This dazzling closing event also marks the start of the four-year countdown to the Los Angeles Olympics. Hollywood icon Tom Cruise is expected to be featured in a segment showcasing a preview of the 2028 Games in California.

Paris Closes the Curtain on an Unforgettable Olympics with a Stunning Sendoff

The ceremony is the final act of 17 days of frequently breathtaking sporting action set against the backdrop of iconic Parisian landmarks from the Eiffel Tower to the Chateau de Versailles.

In contrast to the rain-soaked opening ceremony on the River Seine, the opening ceremony began as the sun set across the French capital.

On the final day of competition, the United States edged out China in the medal tally after the US women’s basketball team narrowly defeated France 67-66 to secure the last gold medal of the Games.

This victory, marking the USA’s eighth consecutive Olympic gold in women’s basketball, helped the Americans match China with a total of 40 gold medals. However, the USA topped the overall medal table with 126 medals, while China finished in second place with 91.

Marathon Magic

Sunday kicked off with a thrilling women’s marathon victory by Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands.

Hassan took on a daring challenge in Paris by competing in the 5,000m, 10,000m, and marathon—two of these events held just two days apart. In a stunning sprint finish, she surged past Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa to clinch gold with a time of 2 hours, 22 minutes, and 55 seconds, setting a new Olympic record.

After crossing the finish line, Hassan collapsed on the blue carpet in front of the golden dome of the Invalides memorial in central Paris. She then celebrated her remarkable achievement by draping herself in a Dutch flag.

“It wasn’t easy,” said Hassan, 31. “The heat was intense, but I felt OK. I’ve never pushed myself as hard as I did today.”

“Throughout the race, I regretted competing in the 5,000m and 10,000m. I kept thinking that if I hadn’t done those events, I would have felt much better.”

“From start to finish, it was incredibly tough. I kept asking myself, ‘Why did I do this? What’s wrong with me?’”

Hassan is set to receive her gold medal during Sunday’s closing ceremony.

Other sports concluding the Games included wrestling, weightlifting, water polo, volleyball, modern pentathlon, handball, and track cycling.

In modern pentathlon, Hungary’s Michelle Gulyas triumphed with a combination of running and shooting, while French favorite Elodie Clouvel earned silver.

In weightlifting, China’s Li Wenwen celebrated her gold medal by lifting her coach into the air rather than the barbell.

At the velodrome, Dutch cyclist Harrie Lavreysen clinched gold in the men’s keirin, marking his third victory of the Games and breaking Britain’s streak of golds in the event since 2008.

New Zealand’s Ellesse Andrews soared to victory in the women’s sprint, adding to her previous keirin gold. Meanwhile, American cyclist Jennifer Valente claimed the gold in the women’s omnium.

In men’s water polo, Serbia secured their third consecutive Olympic gold with a 13-11 win over Croatia at La Defense Arena, celebrating by pulling their coach into the pool.

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