‘Merci Paris’ 2024 Summer Olympics drawn to a close in spectacular closing ceremony

It was a party in Paris as the Stade de France brought a spectacular end to the 2024 Summer Olympics as Australia celebrated its most successful games in history.

After the opening ceremony on the river Seine was marred by poor weather and mixed reviews the closing ceremony was something special with several draw-dropping moments.

WA’s Matt Wearn and superstar swimmer Kaylee McKeown led Australia into the stadium as Paris put on a party like no other.

Canoe champion Jess Fox also got her moment named as a new member of the IOC Athletes Commission.

The theme for the night was Records a look back and the earliest days of the game and it’s journey to the modern day.

Stade de France went dark as the ‘Golden Voyager’ was lowered into the stadium a symbol of the Spirit of the Bastille and a reference to the golden record aboard the Voyager spacecraft.

As he landed he was joined by spacemen carrying the Greek flag as a choral version of the Greek anthem was sung as dancers and acrobats rushed the stage as golden Olympic rings emerged.

But it was here that the ceremony had its truly jaw-dropping moment.

A grand piano was suspended in mid-air as French pianist Alain Roche played the Hymn of Apollo, first performed at the revival of the modern Olympics, with opera singer Benjamin Bernheim providing spell-binding vocals.

As the rings came together at the roof of the stadium acrobats performed a stunning floor routine before a video montage played, showcasing some of the best moments of the game.

Following the ethereal opening the stadium broke into song as French indie rock outfit Phoenix kicked off the concert portion of the night.

They were joined by several artists including Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig, Kaminsky and Air before artistic director Tom Jolly unveiled his trump card.

The crowd were equipped with wristbands that lit up in unison forming images of chariots and other Olympic symbols to get the stadium bouncing.

The President of the Paris 2024 Organising Committee Tony Estanguet gave thanks to athletes and supporters for providing an unforgettable Games.

“Heart racing, head spinning, screaming, crying, crazy love for all the athletes, the ones we didn’t know before and now call by their first names. You made us happy,” he said.

“You made us feel alive. The world needed these emotions so much. On behalf of billions of sports lovers across the five continents, thank you very much.”

The President of the IOC Thomas Bach said the Games were “Seine-sational.”

“You showed us the greatness we humans are capable of, you lived peacefully together under one roof,” he told athletes.

“Our first true games under our Olympic reforms younger, more urban and further first-time full gender parity throughout the games,” he said.

“The French should be proud forever, Merci Paris, merci la France!”.

He was joined on stage by retiring legend Emma McKeon as a representative of one of the five continents.

It was then time for a touch of Hollywood as the Olympic flag was handed over to LA mayor Karen Bass before it was promptly passed to megastar Tom Cruise who had rappelled down from the roof of the stadium.

A pre-recorded action sequence launched as the flag was brought to LA after he jumped out of a cargo plane and then was taken to Venice Beach as the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Billie Eilish, Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg performed several of their greatest hits.

But it was French swimming champion Leon Marchand who got the biggest cheer as he brought the Olympic flame on stage as the Olympics were brought to a close.

French singer Yseult performed a tear-jerking version of My Way in an emotional send-off as all eyes now turn to LA 2028 to see if they can top a truly special games.