Photo credit: Olympics

What a ride it’s been!

From a dazzling start on the Seine River to a breathtaking finale at the Stade de France, the Paris 2024 Olympics have left us all in awe. These Games were unlike anything we’ve seen or felt before, and Sunday evening’s (11 August) Closing Ceremony was the perfect send-off.

For the first time in 100 years, the City of Light hosted the world’s greatest athletes, and Paris didn’t disappoint. The Closing Ceremony was a glittering celebration of French culture, complete with a heartwarming handover to LA for the 2028 Games.

Leon Marchand, who became a new French sports legend with four golds in the pool, kicked off the ceremony under the Olympic cauldron. The atmosphere was electric as around 9,000 athletes paraded into the Stade de France, with the program paying tribute to the visionary behind the modern Olympics, Pierre de Coubertin.

IOC President Thomas Bach couldn’t have put it better, saying, “The Olympic Games Paris 2024 were a celebration of the athletes and sport at its best.” He emphasized the fresh energy these Games brought, marking a new era with a younger, more urban, inclusive, and sustainable approach.

And let’s not forget his heartfelt message to the athletes: “You showed us what greatness we humans are capable of. Thank you for making us dream.”

As the flame was extinguished and Paris bid farewell, one thing was clear: these Games have left an indelible mark on the world, setting a high bar for what’s to come in LA 2028.