The closing ceremony took place on Sunday at a sodden Stade de France, capping off a summer athletic extravaganza that began on July 26 amid pouring rain with a spectacular opening ceremony for the Paris Olympics on the Seine River. It draws close to two fascinating Games that enthralled spectators and set a high standard for others to meet. Los Angeles, good luck in 2028. The national anthem, “La Marseillaise,” was played on the trumpet, and Paralympic flag bearers entered the stadium carrying national flags as “Chariots of Fire” by Vangelis was played. The stadium was illuminated in the French flag’s blue, white, and red colors. As a result, there was an incredible feeling of being on an actual holiday.
Emotions flowed like a river, just like when visiting the GGBet website, which offers an incredible variety of games for every taste. It seems you are standing on the threshold of some great discovery.
In his farewell address, Tony Estanguet, the chief of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, underscored the significance of cultivating a world of inclusivity. He stated, “There’s no going back now,” urging everyone to strive for the creation of a society where each person is appreciated and feels a sense of belonging. Andrew Parsons, the President of the International Paralympic Committee, lauded France for its outstanding hosting of both the Olympics and Paralympics, noting that Paris 2024 has raised the bar for all future Paralympic events.
This place is renowned for its stylish charm and exceptional food.
France is now increasingly becoming a favorite destination for avid sports fans. The energetic crowd even partook in a breakdancing show before enjoying a performance of the American national anthem by Tony Award winner Ali Stroker, which seamlessly marked the shift to Los Angeles. Let’s applaud the successes of Paris 2024 and look forward with excitement to the next remarkable Paralympic Games!
A few Interesting Moments
- Stroker made history for the wheelchair community by winning a Tony Award for her role as Ado Annie in the Broadway version of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma!” The transfer to LA was also marked by skateboarders and wheelchair motocross riders taking the spotlight at Venice Beach Skate Park, which was transformed into a 360-degree stage.
- Then, under the guidance of artistic director Thomas Jolly once again, the crowd broke into applause as the famed French electronic music composer Jean-Michel Jarre began to conclude the event.
- Ignoring the pouring rain, 76-year-old Jarre performed as if he was in a Paris cabaret.
Despite the conclusion of the thrilling Olympics, the spirit of summer remained potent. The worldwide fan enthusiasm and the allure of the city’s emblematic venues were prominently displayed. The Paralympics deserve significant recognition. Athletes received exceptional support, even though not all locations were fully packed. This is understandable, given the end of the summer vacation and children returning to school. However, the crowd’s enthusiasm remained unshakeable. A whopping 2.4 million tickets were sold from a total of 2.8 million, a commendable achievement. To put in perspective, the 2012 London Games only sold 2.7 million tickets. This accomplishment is particularly significant given that only 1 million tickets were sold by the end of June. The Paralympics in Paris were indeed a grand celebration of sports and diversity!