As the Paris 2024 Olympics draw to a close after more than two weeks of thrilling sports, the city is gearing up for the grand closing ceremony.
When and Where? The closing ceremony will take place on Sunday, 11 August, at the Stade de France, which has served as the venue for athletics and rugby sevens during the Games. The event is set to begin at 20:00 BST and will conclude at 22:30.
How to Watch the Closing Ceremony In the UK, the ceremony will be broadcast live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, and the BBC Sport website and app. Television coverage starts at 19:00 BST, and there will also be a live text commentary.
Will Tom Cruise Make an Appearance? While organizers have kept details under wraps, rumors are swirling that film star Tom Cruise may participate, possibly by abseiling down the stadium. A special segment of the ceremony will involve Paris handing over to the next Olympic host city, Los Angeles, for the 2028 Games, where Cruise might make his appearance.
The ceremony will feature a blend of performances, including dancers, circus artists, and headlining acts from both French and American artists. Snoop Dogg, a notable presence throughout the Games, is expected to perform, alongside French musicians Air and Phoenix.
Artistic director Thomas Jolly has titled the show "Records," promising an immersive, science-fiction-inspired journey through time. The narrative will span from the origins of the Olympic Games to a dystopian future where the Olympics have disappeared and must be reimagined.
Traditional Elements of the Ceremony In addition to the artistic performances, the closing ceremony will include several traditional elements:
The parade of athletes.
A tribute to the 45,000 volunteers who supported the Games.
The medal ceremony for the women's marathon.
The extinguishing of the Olympic flame, which has been on display at the Tuileries, visited by tens of thousands of fans.
The official proclamation of the end of the Olympic Games by the President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach.
The handover of the Olympic flag from Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
Weather Forecast Although the ceremony will take place inside the Stade de France, which is open to the elements, no rain is expected. However, attendees should prepare for intense heat, with temperatures forecasted to reach up to 33°C in Paris.
Final Event Before the Ceremony The last event of the Paris 2024 Olympics will be the women's basketball gold-medal match at Bercy Arena, scheduled to begin at 14:30 BST on Sunday, just hours before the closing ceremony. Photo by Ibex73, Wikimedia commons.