From French musicians to Grammy winner Anderson Paak, a look at everything that lit up Paris Paralympics closing ceremony
First Published: 9th September, 2024 8:51 IST
The Indian contingent concluded its historic Paris Paralympics campaign with a total of 29 medals
The Paris Paralympics came to a close with a glittering closing ceremony on Sunday.
Starting off the ceremony, French singer Santa performed Johnny Hallyday’s iconic track “Vivre pour le Meilleur”. Several video sequences and images from the previous three Paralympic Games accompanied her melodic
However, the couldron flight was not happening due to weather conditions.
Following this performance, in the official stand at the Stade de France, France president Emmanuel Macron, and the President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), Andrew Parsons, were introduced.voice.
The French flag was then raised to the sounds of the country’s national anthem, The Marseillaise. The crowd sang along to the national anthem as various corps of the French Army raised the flag.
After that happened the Parade of Nations, involving all the countries that participated in the Paralympics. The countries entered the enclosure in alphabetical order to the sounds of band of Republican Guard. The musicians performed some selected French and international pop music, giving a festive and joyous vibe to the parade.
Harvinder Singh and Preeti Pal were the flag bearers for India at the closing ceremony of the Paris Paralympics 2024. Harvinder Singh, who made history by clinching the gold medal in para-archery, India’s first-ever gold in para-archery, and Preeti Pal, a standout in para-athletes with two bronze medals, have been instrumental in India’s extraordinary success at these Games.
The Indian contingent concluded its historic Paris Paralympics campaign with a total of 29 medals, including seven gold, nine silver, and 13 bronze medals, the most by the country in the history of the competition. With this landmark campaign, India has surpassed their previously most-successful campaign at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, which gave them 19 medals, including five golds, eight silvers, and six bronze medals.
Tony Estanguet, President of the Organising Committee for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, entered the stage after the parade to a huge cheer from the crowd and addressed them.
An ovation we will never forget 👏 #Paralympics | #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/BK6Sv5Fd0R
— Paralympic Games (@Paralympics) September 8, 2024
Parsons also delivered a speech on the success of the event. The continuation of the ceremony saw the presentation of new newly elected members of the International Paralympics Committee Athletes Council, a group of athlete representatives elected by their peers who are the voice of the Paralympic athlete community to the IPC.
Following this, the Paris 2024 volunteers were thanked and were given a tribute. Over 2,000 of them took centre stage at the stadium and were met with massive cheers from the crowd.
Then, eight dancers, some specially-abled, celebrated the diversity of Breaking with their performances to beats by DJ Cut Killer.
The Paralympic Anthem was played and the Paralympic flag was lowered by the officers of French Army. The Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, and the Mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, join Andrew Parsons and Tony Estanguet on the stage and the flag was handed over to Karen.
https://twitter.com/Paralympics/ status/1832869286450204780
The handover and transition to USA for next Paralympics continued with the American national anthem and raising of their national flag. Ali Stroker, the American singer and actress sang the national anthem.
Violinist and Broadway composer Gaelynn Lea and rapper, songwriter and athlete Garnet Silver-Hall performed poetry linking to the themes of dreaming, disability, and community. Also, multi-time Grammy award winning rapper and singer Anderson Paak also delivered a delightful performance.
At the Jardin des Tuileries, gathered around the cauldron, Amadou and Mariam, accompanied by a string quartet, performed a composition by Serge Gainsbourg inspired by the French poet Paul Verlaine, titled ‘Je suis venu te dire que je m’en vais’.
Aurellie Aubert, the French Paralympic champion in Boccia, blew the flame and in the skies above the Jardin des Tuileries, the Cauldron, was also extinguished, marking the end of the games.
At the Stade de France, 24 electronic music artists from French electronic scene, along with the ‘Father of Electronic Music in France’, Jean-Michel Jarre, celebrated the diversity of their music with an entertaining performance. The performance also involved some Paralympic athletes joining in and the stadium transformed into one big disco. There was also a beautiful light show to go along with the performance.
Among the artists who performed were Breakbot & Irfane, Nathalie Duchene, Alan Braxe, DJ Falcon, Kavinsky, Kiddy Smile, Kittin, Anetha, Ofenbach, The Avener, etc.
The closing performance was finally delivered by two-time medalist and French para-cyclist Alexandre Leaute along with Martin Solveig, a French DJ and songwriter. (ANI)
COMMENTS
TOPMOST STORY NOW
Live Northeast Celebrates Christmas With Lights, Prayers, And Festivities
25th December 2024
Live Watch: Christmas Eve Midnight Mass And Melodious Carols In Guwahati
25th December 2024
Live Tamil Nadu: Drone visuals of devotees gathered at St. Mary’s Cathedral on the occasion of Christmas
25th December 2024
Live Vehicles decorated and a carol procession was carried out outside the Thiru Iruthaya Andavar Church
25th December 2024
WE RECOMMEND
Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Paktika province kill at least 15
The airstrikes have caused severe civilian casualties and widespread destruction, further escalating tensions in the region.
25th December 2024
Bangladesh requests India to send Sheikh Hasina back
The request was made through a "note verbale" to the Indian government, Bangladesh's Interim government's Foreign Affairs Adviser.
23rd December 2024
“Kuwait’s highest civilian honour recognises PM Modi’s leadership in strengthening India-Gulf ties”: EAM Jaishankar
PM Modi was honoured with Kuwait's highest civilian award 'The Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer' by Emir of Kuwait
23rd December 2024
Small plane crashes into Brazilian city, killing at least 10 people
The aircraft collided with several buildings, causing widespread damage and leaving over a dozen people injured, according to official Brazilian authorities.
23rd December 2024
35 dead in bus-truck collision on highway in Southeastern Brazil
Thirteen people were also injured and taken to hospitals in the nearby city of Teofilo Otoni.
22nd December 2024