The Paris Olympics end with a spectacular show
They're history now: The Paris Olympics are over. During the grand closing ceremony, IOC President Thomas Bach officially declared the Games ended. "We've all fallen in love with you," he said, addressing the French capital. The gaze turns to Los Angeles 2028.
Au revoir, Paris - and welcome to Hollywood. At the spectacular closing ceremony of the Olympic Games in the French capital that buzzed for 16 days, the next hosts gave a sneak peek of where the journey is heading in four years. After IOC President Thomas Bach couldn't resist the now well-hung but still apt wordplay that Paris was "Seine-sational," film star Tom Cruise descended from the roof of the Stade de France.
Cruise picked up the Olympic flag, roared off on a motorcycle, and brought it - with various stunts - to the Hollywood sign adorned with Olympic rings. Bach had previously handed this flag to Los Angeles, represented by Mayor Karen Bass, and before declaring the XXXIII Olympiad ended at 11:58 PM, he sang its praises, especially for the organizers who, however, couldn't quite handle one thing: the Seine.
The Games in the "City of Light" were "Games of a new era," Bach said, swooning, "Dear French friends, you've fallen in love with the Olympic Games, and we've all fallen in love with you." As usual, Bach also got sentimental. "We know," he said, "that the Olympic Games cannot create peace. But the Olympic Games can create a culture of peace that inspires the world. These Olympic Games could only inspire the world because our French friends prepared the stage. And what a magnificent stage it was."
Billie Eilish, an Alien, and a Beach Party
The French hosts bid farewell with the same imagination that made the opening ceremony an unprecedented event, but not as pompous. In between, the stadium became a giant karaoke bar as the audience enthusiastically sang along to the catchy "Oh, Champs-Elysees" playing. Not planned. Before the rock band Phoenix's performance, athletes stormed the stage to dance, and they were politely asked to clear the field via loudspeaker.
Before that, the 70,000 in the stadium saw a performance of a journey back to the future, in search of the Olympic spirit and its rediscovery. For this, a "golden traveler" descended from the stadium roof, like an artistic preview of Cruise, followed by pianist Alain Roche hanging vertically above the arena with his piano. The message: Paris has breathed new life into Olympia and its spirit.
The closing ceremony also highlighted the stark contrast between Paris and Los Angeles. Paris has Paris, the city itself was the star. Los Angeles has Hollywood, has the power of superstars from film and music, and it will likely turn the 2028 Olympics into a massive beach party, a huge show for everyone, for every man and woman in the sun state by the Pacific. A kind of 16-day Super Bowl under the five Olympic rings: With show, with stars - as long as there's action.
For the presentation of LA28, they quickly switched live from Paris to the Pacific, where the Red Hot Chili Peppers were rocking, sun in the sky, blue sea in the background. This was followed by Grammy and Oscar winner Billie Eilish, and, now back in California: Snoop Dogg.
"We're thrilled to showcase the best of L.A. and give fans a taste of what's to come in 2028," said LA28 Organizing Committee Chair Casey Wasserman. The "incredible show" at the Stade de France "provided a global audience with a sneak peek" of the upcoming Games. In 1433 days, the Olympic flame will be lit at the iconic Coliseum. But first, the Winter Games in Milan/Cortina (February 6-22, 2026).
The crowd excitement escalated as Bach announced, "We look forward to the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris being succeeded by the spectacular event in Los Angeles 2028." Demonstrating a seamless transition, the closing ceremony transitioned into a preview of LA28, showcasing the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Billie Eilish, and Snoop Dogg, promising a beach party-themed Olympics filled with stars and action.
