By Sola Ojewusi
After two and a half weeks of thrilling competition, the Paris Olympics concluded on Sunday with a dazzling closing ceremony at the Stade de France. The event marked the official handover to Los Angeles, the host city for the 2028 Summer Games.
The ceremony featured a dramatic moment as Hollywood star Tom Cruise made a stunning entrance, leaping from the stadium roof and descending to the field. Once on the ground, Cruise received the Olympic flag from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, then rode off on a motorcycle, symbolizing the transition to the next host city.
The celebration continued with a star-studded lineup of performances in Los Angeles, featuring musicians Billie Eilish, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, offering a taste of the vibrant cultural showcase expected in 2028.
French singer Yseult performs “My Way” at the end of the Olympic closing ceremony as fireworks go off above the Stade de France on Sunday, August 11. Esa Alexander/Reuters
In pictures: The closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics
Actor Tom Cruise carries the Olympic flag on a motorcycle at the closing ceremony in Paris.
Actor Tom Cruise carries the Olympic flag on a motorcycle at the closing ceremony in Paris. Dita Alangkara/AP
Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg perform at a handover celebration in Los Angeles, which will host the 2028 Summer Games.
Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg perform at a handover celebration in Los Angeles, which will host the 2028 Summer Games. Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for LA28
Singer H.E.R performs the US national anthem at the Stade de France. Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images
Cruise is lowered onto the floor of the Stade de France after jumping off the stadium’s roof. Natacha Pisarenko/AP
Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas, left, perform “Birds of a Feather” in Los Angeles. Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for LA28
US athletes celebrate during the closing ceremony.
US athletes celebrate during the closing ceremony. Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass waves the Olympic flag next to Thomas Bach, the president of the International Olympic Committee. Carl Recine/Getty Images
Fireworks explode above the Stade de France. Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters
Bulgarian athletes cheer during the closing ceremony. Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters
Tony Estanguet, president of the Paris 2024 organizing committee, delivers a speech</a> at the closing ceremony. He said the Paris Olympics matched records for audience size, attendance and decibel levels. Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters
French indie rock band Phoenix performs during the ceremony.
French indie rock band Phoenix performs during the ceremony. Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters
The Olympic rings are raised during the ceremony. Rob Schumacher/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Athletes watch the ceremony from the floor of the Stade de France.
Athletes watch the ceremony from the floor of the Stade de France. Peter Byrne/PA/AP
A Golden Voyager, inspired by references from French history, stands atop a pile of masked dancers as the last Olympic ring is raised above the stage. Anushree Fadnavis/Reuters
The orchestra performs during the ceremony. Bildbyran/Sipa USA/AP
Alain Roche plays the piano while suspended from wires hanging from the stadium’s roof. Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters
Dutch athletes take part in the ceremony’s parade. Phil Noble/Reuters
The Golden Voyager floats onto the stage from the roof of the Stade de France. Phil Noble/Reuters
Flagbearers parade around the stage. Dita Alangkara/AP
Athletes from the French team do a little crowd surfing. Rebecca Blackwell/AP
From left, Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa, the Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan and Kenya’s Hellen Obiri stand for a medal ceremony held during the closing ceremony. Hassan won gold in the marathon earlier in the day. David Davies/PA/AP
Japanese athletes participate in the parade. Albert Gea/Reuters
France’s national flag is carried into the stadium at the start of the ceremony. Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images
British athletes dance during the ceremony. Rebecca Blackwell/AP
Flagbearers from every country enter the Stade de France and walk onto the stage at the start of the ceremony.
Flagbearers from every country enter the Stade de France and walk onto the stage at the start of the ceremony. Pawel Kopczynski/Reuters
An American athlete is filmed during the parade. David Goldman/AP
French swimmer Léon Marchand carries the Olympic flame at the Tuileries Garden in Paris. SIPA USA/AP
French President Emmanuel Macron, third from right on the top row, sits between his wife, Brigitte, and International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach at the Stade de France. John Walton/PA/Getty Images
French musician Zaho de Sagazan, inside the Tuileries Garden in Paris, opens the ceremony by performing “Sous le Ciel de Paris,” which translates to “Under the Paris Sky.” Vadim Ghirda/AP
Volunteers work inside the stadium ahead of the closing ceremony. Esa Alexander/Reuters
US supporters walk to their seats before the ceremony. Sarah Phipps-Terry/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Couples dance in Paris ahead of the ceremony.
Couples dance in Paris ahead of the ceremony. Dar Yasin/AP
The Olympic cauldron sits in the Tuileries Garden. Vadim Ghirda/AP
The crowd waits for the ceremony to start.
The crowd waits for the ceremony to start. David Goldman/AP
A spectator arrives at the Stade de France. David Goldman/AP
Security forces patrol the area near the Eiffel Tower. Sebastian Kahnert/Picture-Alliance/DPA/AP
As the world awaits the 34th Olympiad coming up in Los Angeles in 2028, the party has already begun in the City of Angels.
Pictures and captions courtesy of CNN
