Paris Olympics 2024 Closing Ceremony: Olympics comes to a close with dazzling star-studded ceremony

CHENNAI: The Paris Olympics 2024 drew to a close with a star-studded closing ceremony at the Stade de France on Monday. 

Representing India, it was star shooter Manu Bhaker and hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh who were the flag-bearers in the ceremony.

The flag-bearers of each of the 205 delegations entered the gigantic Stade de France and assembled on a stage in the centre of the stadium, which symbolically represented a planisphere, while the athletes joined the parade.

The ceremony, titled "Records" by the organisers, featured performances by major names in American music, including Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and H.E.R.

The Olympic Flag was handed over to the Los Angeles 2028 Organizing Committee, marking the transition to the next Summer Games.

 The closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics 2024 is scheduled to begin at 12:30 am IST at the Stade de France, after two memorable weeks of action-packed sporting extravaganza.

According to the artistic director Thomas Jolly, the ceremony “will feature over 100 performers, dancers and circus artists. Musical performances and the participation of global singers will complete the picture.“

It also includes the athletes parade and the handover of the Olympic flag to the organizers of 2028 Los Angeles Games.

H.E.R., the five-time Grammy winner, is expected to sing the U.S. national anthem live at the Stade de France as part of the handover.

Representing India, it is going to be star shooter Manu Bhaker and hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh who will be the flag-bearers in the ceremony.

United States topped the medal tally, followed by China and Japan at second and third positions respectively.

India ended at 71st position with one silver and five bronze medals at the conclusion of the Paris Olympics on Sunday.

Stay Tuned! We are just moments away from the start of the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics 2024 at the Stade de France in Paris

At the closing of the 142nd IOC Session in Paris, IOC President Thomas Bach announced to the IOC Members that he is not looking to have his term extended beyond the term limit stipulated by the Olympic Charter.

Read More: IOC President Bach to leave office next year  

The closing ceremony is about to start in few minutes in the 80,000-seat Stade de France.

Crowds are gathering around the stadium to witness the biggest sporting event's closing ceremony and rumours surrounding Tom Cruise making an surprise appearance for a stunt has added up to the excitement among the public. 

With the opening ceremony being accompanied by rains, it is warm and sunny now in Paris and we are minutes away from witnessing the closing event

French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Marie-Claude Macron arrived at the Stadium 

French swimmer Léon Marchand, who won 4 gold and 1 bronze medal walks around the Olympic cauldron with loud cheers from the home crowd. 

Time for the France National anthem!

And the athletes enters the arena 

Along with all the flag-bearers India's Manu Bhaker and PR Sreejesh enters the stadium with the nation's flag flying high. 

All athletes from different countries waving and dancing at the Stade de France along with the 70,000 fans cheering them on as they enjoy one of the best times of their lives

Now it's like a huge party at the Stade de France where thousands of athletes dancing, singing, even one of France's athlete was crowd surfing with her team

Of Course, we would not have a sporting celebration without the song 'We are the Champions'. As all athletes and the crowd sing the Queen band's famous song.  

The Olympic volunteers and new members of IOC are being honoured 

Time for a light show with the orchestra tuning in. 

Some stunning visuals from the top of the Stade de France

 The Golden Voyager arrives and now the entire stadium turns into a theatre 

The Olympic rings get together

French band Phoenix gets the party started 

"To you, dear athletes, what can I say. We knew you would be brilliant. But you were magic. ... You made us happy. You made us feel alive," President of the Organising Committee for Paris 2024 and three-time canoe Olympic champion Tony Estanguet said while addressing the crowd in the closing ceremony. 

It's time for the Olympic anthem!

Thomas Bach hands the Olympic flag to the Los Angles mayor.

Tom Cruise makes an entrance in his style from atop the roof

Now the party has shifted to LA. 

 Red Hot Chili Peppers performed along the beach of LA's famous coastline and now Billie Eilish is performing