French athletes on stage as fireworks explode during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Closing Ceremony at the Stade de France. Photo: AFP
The Paralympics have come to an end in Paris with a spectacular three-hour closing ceremony.
The Games came to a close as they started, in the rain, but amid a festive atmosphere with an electro-party at the Stade de France.
French singer Santa gets the party atmosphere going at the Paralympics closing ceremony. Photo: THIBAUD MORITZ
New Zealand finished with nine medals; one gold, four silver and four bronze. China led the medals table by a long way, with 94 golds, followed by Great Britain with 49 and the US 36 golds.
Organisers hailed the event as a huge success with a record 12 million tickets sold Paralympics and 9.5 million for the Olympics. The total beat the record previously set by London 2012, organisers said.
What an opener #Paralympics | #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/nGDncl0Ut4
— Paralympic Games (@Paralympics) September 8, 2024
Some 24 French DJs, including electronic music pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre as well as Cassius, played in the final part of the event.
Earlier, the 169 delegations paraded to the tunes of French classics which got the spectators singing along.
Dancers perform during the closing ceremony. Photo: AFP
France's President Emmanuel Macron, front left, and wife Brigitte Macron (front R), applaud the athletes. There were boos from the crowd as the president waved appeared. Photo: AFP
As the flames fade, the spirit of the Games will forever shine in Paris ✨#Paralympics | #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/CkA926rj1t
— Paralympic Games (@Paralympics) September 8, 2024
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo with the IPC flag. Photo: AFP / Pauline Ballet / KMSP
Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo handed the Paralympic flag to International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons, who then presented it to the mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass - the first Black woman mayor to receive the Paralympic flag during the closing ceremony. The American national anthem was performed by Ali Stroker.
Mayor of Los Angeles Karen Bass, centre, arrives for the exchange of flags. Photo: AFP
Ali Stroker performed the US national anthem. Photo: AFP
The games ended with an electro-party at the Stade de France, with 24 DJs playing in the final part of the event. Photo: AFP / CURUTCHET VINCENT
"Nobody wants these Games to come to an end," Paris 2024 president Tony Estanguet said as Paris passes the baton to Los Angeles for the next Summer Games.
"We beat a lot of records so tonight let's beat another one. I'm asking you to give the para athletes the longest, loudest, craziest ovation they ever received," he added to deafening cheers from the 64,000 spectators, in sharp contrast to boos from the crowd when French President Emmanuel Macron appeared.
Estanguet also urged the spectators and viewers not to forget "this summer when France was happy."
France's delegation parade in the Stade de France during closing ceremony. Photo: AFP
New Zealand finished the Games with nine medals, with Anna Grimaldi winning the only gold. Photo: AFP PHOTO /OIS/IOC/ADRIAN DENNIS
French athletes including gold medialists Aurelie Aubert and Tanguy de La Forest hold the Olympic flame. Photo: AFP
The Olympic cauldron, which was supposed to be lifted up in the sky in a hot-air balloon one last time from the Jardin des Tuileries near the Louvre Museum, was grounded due to the rain, before the flame was put out, the only sad note of the night.
- Reuters / RNZ
