Meanwhile, the teams’ standard bearers began to enter the stadium, and then the teams themselves entered. Athletes and delegation representatives filled the entire stadium bowl.
Afterwards, the final award ceremony of the 2024 Games was held. The winner and prize winners of the women’s marathon took to the podium: Sifan Hassan, Tigist Assefa, Hellen Obiri.
According to tradition, words of gratitude were also said to the volunteers, without whom no Games would be possible.
Performance and traditions
And then the Stade de France turned into a gigantic theatre, dark and mysterious. The spectacle was breathtaking. The show featured new characters and those already familiar from the opening ceremony.
The Greek flag was raised and the Greek anthem was played in recognition of the country’s role in hosting the Olympic Games. Spectators also followed in the footsteps Pierre de Coubertinwhen he revived the ancient Olympic Games.
As the Olympic rings rose from the depths of the Stade de France into the centre of the stadium, the French pianist and opera singer Benjamin Bernheim performed the “Hymn to Apollo”, and Alain Roche played the piano while in mid-air. The athletes became part of the show, occupying a stage that represented a map of the world: five continents and oceans.
