After almost three weeks, the 33rd Olympiad is over.
On Monday, August 12 (Manila time), the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic games held its closing ceremony, officially concluding the 19-day global sporting event.
The ceremony was held at the Stade de France and was attended by athletes from the 205 participating National Olympic Committees and the Refugees.
The Philippines’ two-time gold medalist Carlos Yulo and bronze medalist boxer Aira Villegas served as the country’s flagbearer in the closing ceremony’s parade of flags.
Also in attendance during the athletes’ march are other Filipino athletes like Bianca Pagdanganan and Lauren Hoffman.
During the same evening, the final awarding ceremony of the games was also held. It was for the women’s marathon event, which was won by the Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan.
Special musical performers for the closing ceremony include French band Phoenix, Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg, and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
H.E.R. also sang the American national anthem.
Meanwhile, actor Tom Cruise conducted a stunt that involved him getting jumping from the top of Stade de France and riding a motorcycle, before placing the Olympic flag in front of the famous Hollywood sign.
The said stunt is part of the handover of Paris to the next host city, Los Angeles, for the 2028 Summer Olympic Games.
Although, the action is not yet over in Paris, as the 2024 Paralympic games will kick off on August 28, where the Philippines will send 6 athletes.
As for our Olympic team, they are scheduled to return to the Philippines on Tuesday, August 13, while the Filipino athletes are going to get their well-deserved hero’s welcome in the City of Manila on Wednesday, August 14.