Olympics 2024 Closing Highlights: Leon Marchand Extinguishes Flame as Paris Passes Baton to Los Angeles(LA)

The iconic Stade de France transformed into a concert hall as 'Seine-national' Paris bid 'au revoir' to the 2024 Olympics on Monday. Hollywood star Tom Cruise descended the Stade de France after Paris handed over the Olympic baton to Los Angeles, the host city for the 2028 Summer Games. On the final day of the Paris Olympics, 14 gold medals were contested. The 80,000-seat venue was filled to capacity for the Hollywood-style closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics, with performances by A-list celebrities like Billie Eilish, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dr. Dre, and Snoop Dogg, marking the LA handover of the Olympic Games .

Hollywood legend Tom Cruise was anticipated to execute a dramatic stunt during the symbolic transition of the Summer Games from Paris to Los Angeles. This traditional handoff involved passing the Olympic flag from one city to the next. Cruise, filled with pride, celebrated with athletes after his approximately 160-foot descent. The renowned actor then accepted the US flag from LA Mayor Karen Bass, who was accompanied by Simone Biles .

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach used his speech to advocate for a 'culture of peace' amidst global conflicts. “We know that the Olympic Games cannot create peace, but the Olympic Games can create a culture of peace that inspires the world,” Bach stated. “Let us live this culture of peace every single day,” he added .

While the Paris Games 2024 opening ceremony took place on the River Seine, the French capital concluded the Olympics by handing over the baton to the 2028 hosts, Los Angeles. The closing ceremony was held at the Stade de France, which also hosted athletics events after rugby sevens during the Paris Olympics. The Olympic flame was extinguished by local hero Leon Marchand, the most decorated male Olympian at these Summer Games. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo officially passed the Olympic flag to her Los Angeles counterpart, Karen Bass, symbolizing the handover to the next host city .

Hockey legend PR Sreejesh joined star shooter Manu Bhaker as the flag bearer for the Indian contingent during the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games. Indian Olympic Association (IOA) chief PT Usha disclosed that even javelin star Neeraj Chopra supported the decision to honor the retiring Sreejesh with this role. World Champion Neeraj had secured India's first and only silver medal at the Paris Olympics 2024. Sreejesh announced his retirement from international hockey after India’s bronze medal victory, closing a remarkable 18-year career .

Key highlights from the Paris Olympics 2024 Closing Ceremony include:

• France's Leon Marchand extinguished the Olympic flame.

• IOC President Thomas Bach praised the athletes and officially closed the Summer Games while advocating for a culture of peace.

• The LA takeover of the Summer Games featured performances by Billie Eilish, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Snoop Dogg.

• Tom Cruise added a Hollywood flair to the Paris Olympic Games.

• Grammy-winning artist H.E.R. performed the US national anthem in Paris.

• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the efforts of the Indian contingent.

• The USA overtook China to top the final medal standings at the Paris Olympics .

India’s campaign at the Paris Olympics 2024 concluded on Saturday with the final performances by Aditi Ashok, Diksha Dagar, and Reetika Hooda. Aditi and Diksha finished outside the top ten in women's individual golf, while Reetika lost in the quarter-finals of her wrestling category and missed out on the repechage round .

Fans also awaited the CAS verdict on Vinesh Phogat's joint-silver medal appeal. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) was expected to issue the decision by 9:30 PM IST, but it was postponed to August 13. Vinesh was disqualified before her gold medal bout due to being 100 grams over the weight limit .

India concluded the Paris 2024 campaign with six medals. Shooter Manu Bhaker earned two bronze medals—one in individual shooting and another in mixed team shooting with Sarabjot. Swapnil Kusale secured a bronze in shooting as well. Neeraj Chopra won a silver medal in men’s javelin throw, and the men's hockey team claimed a bronze by defeating Spain. Aman Sehrawat added another bronze in wrestling. If the CAS decision favors Vinesh Phogat, India's medal tally could rise to seven .