'Historic summer': France waves farewell at Paralympics closing ceremony

It rained again, just as at the opening ceremony for the Olympic Games, but Paris has put on a spectacular farewell to mark the end of the Paris Paralympics.

view inside a stadium of fireworks shooting from the roof

Fireworks during the Closing Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympics Games at the Stade de France. Source: SIPA USA / Laurie Dieffembacq

This time, it really is au revoir. A summer sporting bonanza that started under pouring rain on 26 July with a ended with the Paralympics closing ceremony at a rain-soaked Stade de France.

It lowers the curtain on successful back-to-back events that captivated fans and raised the bar high for others to follow. Good luck Los Angeles in 2028.

As the stadium was lit up in the blue, white and red colours of the French national flag on Sunday (local time), a trumpet player played the national anthem La Marseillaise and Paralympic flag-bearers made their way into the stadium carrying national flags to the sound of Chariots of Fire by Vangelis.

Chief Paris 2024 organiser Tony Estanguet said the Games and the Olympics had created a "historic summer".

"Everyone can see what an inclusive world is like," Estanguet said in his closing speech. "Now there is no turning back."
Athletes, including some in wheelchairs, and one using a crutch, come down a ramp. Some are holding flags
Athletes thanked the crowd for their support during the Paralympics closing ceremony in Paris. Source: AP / Michel Euler
International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons said France excelled as a host in both Games.

"Paris 2024 has set a benchmark for all future Paralympic Games," Parsons said.

"For a country famous for its fashion and its food, France is now famous for its fans."

The crowd clapped along to a breakdancing set before Tony Award winner Ali Stroker performed the American national anthem as part of the handover to Los Angeles.
A singer wearing a flowing olive cape performs as she holds a microphone in her right hand
French singer Santa performs during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games closing ceremony at the Stade de France. Source: SIPA USA / Laurie Dieffembacq
Stroker made history in 2019 as the first person who uses a wheelchair to win a Tony Award for her turn as Ado Annie in the Broadway revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma!

In another portion of the screened handover to LA, Venice Beach Skatepark transformed into a 360-degree stage featuring skateboarders and wheelchair motocross riders.

Then, the crowd roared as famed French electronic music composer Jean-Michel Jarre began closing out the ceremony, which was again led by artistic director Thomas Jolly.
The 76-year-old Jarre was seemingly oblivious to the rain lashing down on him.

Jolly wanted to turn the stadium into a giant open-air dance party. More than 20 DJs followed the trailblazer Jarre in a tribute to French electro music to the theme Journey of the Wave.

Or the wave goodbye from the 64,000 fans, and the city itself, to the .
View of a stadium glowing blue while the audience watches.
France waves farewell to its sporting summer at the Paralympics closing ceremony. Source: AP / Christophe Ena
After the successful Olympics, there were doubts that the energy would keep going. Those doubts were dispelled, with athletes enjoying strong support. Not all venues were sold out, but this was also because the summer holiday period was ending and children were returning to school.

A surge of enthusiasm saw 2.4 million tickets of the 2.8 million tickets sold — second only to the 2.7 million sold at the 2012 London Games.

Locals who stayed or French fans coming in from other towns and cities gave their athletes huge support over both Games.
"With the Games we rediscovered our creativity," said Estanguet, a former Olympic canoeing champion. "The France which smiles, which loves itself."

The Games themselves were a success for French President Emmanuel Macron. Transport ran well, there were very few organisational glitches and security issues were appeased, with police even engaging in friendly banter or posing for photos with fans — a rarity in France.

For how long the feel-good factor stays remains to be seen. There were some boos for Macron when he was introduced at the start of the ceremony.

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4 min read
Published 9 September 2024 8:01am
Updated 9 September 2024 8:12am
Source: AAP, AFP



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