Paris Games Close with Star-Studded Ceremony, Handover to Los Angeles

The closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games showcased a vibrant Hollywood atmosphere, highlighted by a performance of the "Star Spangled Banner" and the ceremonial handover of the Olympic flag from Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Over a hundred performers, including acrobats and dancers, contributed to the spectacle, which also featured the awarding of women's marathon medals and the extinguishing of the Olympic flame, marking the end of the Games. As the Olympic torch was lowered, attention shifted to the upcoming Paralympic Games, scheduled for August 28 to September 8. The Paralympic flame will be ignited in Stoke Mandeville, the birthplace of the movement, shortly after the Olympic festivities concluded. NBC's Mike Tirico hosted the event alongside Jimmy Fallon, with contributions from sports commentators and former Olympians, including Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir. Team USA celebrated its success, leading the medal count with a total of 126 medals, including 40 golds. Notable moments included swimming star Katie Ledecky and rowing champion Nick Mead carrying the American flag, with Mead's team making history by winning gold in the men's four rowing event for the first time since 1960. The ceremony also featured a mysterious golden figure descending from the Stade de France, alongside Hollywood star Tom Cruise, who rappelled into the stadium as H.E.R. played guitar. Cruise's dramatic entrance symbolized the blend of Olympic athleticism and Hollywood flair, as he accepted the Olympic flag and made a swift exit on a motorcycle, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.