A fabulous Games of the XXXIII Olympiad closed Sunday in Paris at the Stade de France, a celebration of a sport that re-introduced the Olympic Games that had been silenced during the Covid-plagued Tokyo 2020 edition.
The ceremony began with French swimming icon – and four-time gold medalist – Leon Marchand closing down the innovative “balloon cauldron” for the Olympic Flame and bringing in away in a safety lamp for transport to the stadium.
The entry of the athletes took 31 minutes, with the U.S. entering next to last as host of the next Games.
The artistic program of the ceremony took place across a 26,000 sq. ft. stage shaped like a world map, highlighting the continents. As with the torch-running figure in the opening, a “Golden Voyager” was the focus of the opening sequence, leading to honors for Greece as the originator of the Olympic Games and the appearance of the statue of Nike, housed in the Louvre.
A lengthy sequence of bringing giant rings together with performers formed the Olympic Rings, suspended inside the stadium in a spectacular stunt.
Following a lengthy musical interlude featuring the French band Phoenix and others, came the much-cheered remarks from Paris 2024 chief Tony Estanguet, which included this raucously-received phrase:
“All of this was only possible because all of you showed up.
“First, you, the millions of spectators… Your passion made every first round a final; every venue a raucous arena; every...
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Author: Rich Perelman