2024 Paris Olympics
Live Blog EndedAug 11, 2024

Closing ceremony marks end of Paris Olympics with Tom Cruise and a handover to Los Angeles

The rumors of a Tom Cruise appearance were true: the film star made a dramatic entrance into the Stade de France to help symbolically transport the Olympic flag to Los Angeles.

What to Know

This blog is no longer being updated. See our Olympics page for full coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

AUG 11, 202411:26 AM PDT

Watch primetime coverage of the Paris Olympics closing ceremony

AUG 11, 20246:03 PM PDT

The internet can't get enough of the Closing Ceremony's ‘Golden Voyager'

Originally appeared on E! Online

This Closing Ceremony character deserves a gold medal — literally.

During the 2024 Paris Olympics Closing Ceremony Aug. 11, fans on social media immediately took note of the Golden Voyager figure that stole the show.

The masked extraterrestrial character, which was designed by the ceremony’s artistic director Thomas Jolly, descended from the top of the arena donned entirely gold armor with a spiked headpiece. One user on X, formerly Twitter, described its look as a “space wasp.”

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AUG 11, 20245:07 PM PDT

Paris is now more accessible for disabled people. Will it last after the Olympics and Paralympics?

AP Photo/Tom Nouviana 57-year-old volunteer for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, rides on the Tramway T3a line

Ndieme Lame, a 57-year-old volunteer for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, rides on the Tramway T3a line, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7 2024, in Paris, France.

Since the start of the Olympics, Ndieme Lame has been commuting every day to the Stade de France where she works as a volunteer helping visitors find their way. The 57-year-old wheelchair user is in awe at how easy it's been to cross the city on public transit to reach the Olympic stadium.

“I never would have believed I could make it here almost on my own,” she said Wednesday after her 1 1/2-hour commute from her home in southern Paris.

Her daily journey highlights the city's efforts to improve accessibility for people with disabilities ahead of the Olympics and Paralympics. Lame said an online system that lets her book assistance at commuter train stations has been particularly helpful.

Challenges remain, however, particularly in the underground Metro system where most stations are not fully accessible to people in wheelchairs. And Lame wonders whether the train station assistants will still be there after the Paralympics, which start just over two weeks after the Olympics end.

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AUG 11, 20244:43 PM PDT

Here's how the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 will differ from Paris

Here's how the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 will differ from Paris

Team USA had another dominant Olympics, earning 40 gold medals in Paris. These were some of the big moments that had us chanting U-S-A!

The Olympics will always have Paris. Next up for the Summer Games: Los Angeles 2028.

The baton was handed from one third-time Olympic host city to another at the closing ceremony Sunday in Paris, and much will be different in four years’ time.

New sports will make their Olympic debuts, picked by organizers in LA who also are bringing back others that left the program more than 100 years ago.

While Paris had the Seine River, LA has the Pacific Ocean and its beaches.

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AUG 11, 20244:25 PM PDT

Watch as the Paris Olympics end on a high note with fireworks show

AUG 11, 20244:20 PM PDT

Breaking down the Olympic medals won in Paris

Team USA has a reputation for taking home the most medals at the Olympic Games — and this year was no different. The United States won the most medals overall, most bronze, most silver and tied for most gold medals with China.

The charts that follow break down Team USA's grand medal sweep in Paris.

Some argue that gold medals are what matter the most, and the United States and China were locked in a tight race throughout the Olympics. Here's how it played out:

Team USA had a medal surge on the eighth day of competition, hauling in 18 total medals. Here's how the rest of the days looked:

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AUG 11, 20244:16 PM PDT

Mission: Accepted

AUG 11, 20244:04 PM PDT

Miss the Paris 2024 Closing Ceremony? Watch the top moments

Paris ended its stunning 17-day Olympic adventure with a Closing Ceremony that imagined bleakness: A world without the Olympics. Fear not! A Golden Voyager led an excavation of the Olympic rings, and glory returned to the world!

Here are some of the highlights of the Ceremony (and watch the full Primetime in Paris presentation of the Ceremony on NBC at 7 p.m. local time, or streaming here at 7 p.m. ET, or here at 7 p.m. PT).

Katie Ledecky won two golds, a silver and a bronze in Paris -- bringing her epic career medal to 14 total Olympic medals. Nick Mead was part of Team USA's gold medal-winning coxless four rowing team -- bringing America its first rowing gold medal since 1960.

Above, watch them carry the American flag at the Closing Ceremony.

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AUG 11, 20244:01 PM PDT

Billie Eilish welcomes the Olympics to LA with beachside performance

Billie Eilish welcomes the Olympics to LA with beachside performance

The star-studded Closing Ceremony featured lots of music and stunts from a Hollywood icon.

Originally appeared on E! Online

Billie Eilish proved the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics could be the greatest.

After Tom Cruise took the torch all the way from Paris to Los Angeles during the 2024 Olympics Closing Ceremony in a pre-recorded video, Eilish began anticipation for the 2028 Summer Olympics with a beachside performance of “Birds of a Feather,” in a performance that aired Sunday night.

The 22-year-old, who followed-up the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ rendition of “Can’t Stop,” performed her "Hit Me Hard And Soft" hit alongside her brother and musical collaborator Finneas. Keeping in the Team USA spirit, she wore an Olympics-themed Ralph Lauren polo, along with cargo shorts and one red and one blue knee-high sock. Of course, she added some of her own signature style choices, too, topping off the look with a Phantogram baseball hat, basketball shoes and a dog tag necklace.

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AUG 11, 20243:54 PM PDT

WATCH: Simone Biles, Karen Bass hand Olympic flag to Tom Cruise

AUG 11, 20243:50 PM PDT

Tom Cruise posts selfie from top of Stade de France

Before Tom Cruise completed his death-defying stunt, he stopped to take a selfie with the Stade de France crowd in the background.

"Thank you, Paris! Now off to LA," the "Mission: Impossible" star wrote.

Moments later, Cruise jumped down from the top of the stadium and on to the Olympic stage to carry the Olympic flag to Los Angeles for the 2028 Games.

AUG 11, 20243:04 PM PDT

Why was Frank Sinatra's ‘My Way' sung at the Closing Ceremony? The French connection explained

French singer-songwriter Yseult had her fill at the Paris Olympics' Closing Ceremony where she performed a stellar rendition of Frank Sinatra's iconic "My Way" in front of the world.

But why was the 1969 classic performed at the Closing Ceremony? Turns out Ol' Blue Eyes got his musical inspiration from the French.

Here's what you need to know:

The inclusion of a performance of "My Way" after the Olympic flame was extinguished in Paris was done to show the cultural bond between France and the United States, with the U.S. hosting the next Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.

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AUG 11, 20243:02 PM PDT

The flame is out, and the Olympics are over

Just before blowing out the Olympic flame, IOC President Thomas Bach declared the games over:

"And now, with my heart full of emotions, I have to perform one more task," Bach said. "I declare the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad Paris 2024 closed."

AUG 11, 20243:00 PM PDT

The Olympic flame is extinguished

The Olympic flame, which was "lit" in the one-of-a-kind floating cauldron during the opening ceremony, was brought into the closing ceremony in a lantern by French swimmer Léon Marchand to close out the 2024 Paris Games.

Typically, the Olympic cauldron is filled with fire throughout the Games and can be put out in front of a crowd at the closing ceremony. However, since the Olympic cauldron in Paris lit in the opening ceremony not only floated above the City of Light, but was also made up of LED lights instead of real fire, a flame was brought in a basket for the closing ceremony.

The flame has now been extinguished.

Paris Olympic cauldron first of its kind
This year, however, there's something quite unique about the cauldron—it doesn't use fire! Yes, you read that right.
AUG 11, 20242:58 PM PDT

WATCH: Golden Voyager meets Nike, the god of victory

AUG 11, 20242:57 PM PDT

Dr. Dre joins Snoop Dogg to perform in LA28 beach party

Da, da, da, da, da. It wouldn't be a Snoop Dogg performance without Dr. Dre. The iconic hip-hip producer joined the stage to perform "The Next Episode."

AUG 11, 20242:53 PM PDT

Snoop Dogg leads star-studded party to celebrate Olympic flag landing in LA

No one throws a party in L.A. like Snoop Dogg.

The hip-hop legend and L.A. icon, who has partnered with NBC to appear throughout the Paris Olympics, was third to join a musical celebration for Los Angeles officially kick off the countdown to 2028.

Snoop was joined by artists with California roots -- he followed Billie Eilish and the Red Hot Chili Peppers on stage, singing "Drop it like it's hot."

AUG 11, 20242:53 PM PDT

Billie Eilish joins LA28 beach party

Following the Red Hot Chili Peppers, LA native Billie Eilish joined the beach party, singing "BIRDS OF A FEATHER."

AUG 11, 20242:49 PM PDT

Red Hot Chili Peppers kick off LA28 celebration

When the flag arrived at the beach in Los Angeles, the Red Hot Chili Peppers were ready.

They were on a stage feet from the Pacific Ocean, playing "Can't Stop" in front of a small crowd. The band was formed in Los Angeles more than 40 years ago.

AUG 11, 20242:48 PM PDT

See Tom Cruise ride off with the Olympic flag on a motorcycle

At the end of the Paris 2024 Olympics closing ceremony, Tom Cruise descending from above, grabbed the Olympic flag and rode off on a motorcycle. These antics symbolizes the passage of the summer Olympic Games from Paris to Los Angeles, where the 2028 Games will be held.

American Actor and Film Producer Tom Cruise carries the IOC Flag during the Closing Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
AUG 11, 20242:46 PM PDT

Olympians take viewers on journey through Los Angeles

After Tom Cruise's stunning action sequence from Paris to Hollywood, the "Mission: Impossible" star handed off the Olympic flag to mountain biker Kate Courtney, who competed for Team USA in Tokyo.

Courtney rode though the iconic Griffith Park and through the streets of L.A. before stopping downtown, where she handed the flag off to four-time gold medalist Michael Johnson, who then raced through several of the city's iconic neighborhoods before stopping at Venice Beach, where two-time Olympic medalist Jagger Eaton took over.

Eaton showed off his skateboarding skills at one of the world's most well-known beaches, capping off the Olympic flags journey from Paris.

AUG 11, 20242:44 PM PDT

What three athletes took the Olympic flag through Los Angeles?

What three athletes took the Olympic flag through Los Angeles?

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and LA28 Chairperson Casey Wasserman spoke Saturday about their vision for the 2028 Olympics from a press event in Paris, where they’ve been strategizing their plans for hosting the next Summer Games in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles has a rich history in being home to some of the world's best athletes, but who was given the honor of taking the Olympic flag on its journey across the city to complete the handoff from Paris to Hollywood?

Here's a breakdown of the three athletes who brought the Olympic flag to L.A.:

Courtney, who began the Olympic flags' L.A. journey after Tom Cruise successfully transported the flag from Paris to the Hollywood sign in a sequence that only Hollywood could produce.

The Marin County, Calif., native is a professional mountain biker who has previously won a world championship in 2018 and a world cup series win in 2019. Courtney also competed for Team USA in the Tokyo Olympics, where she placed 15th in the women's cross-country event.

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AUG 11, 20242:43 PM PDT

Tom Cruise leads action-packed transfer of Olympic flag from Paris to Hollywood

After leaving the stadium on his motorcycle with the Olympic flag, Tom Cruise led an action-packed sequence through the streets of Paris before landing in Hollywood in front of its iconic sign, where he handed off the Olympic flag to mountain biker and California native Kate Courtney, who competed in the Tokyo Games.

He also modified the Hollywood sign -- turning the two Os in Hollywood into the lower rings of the Olympic rings.

Cruise had been rumored to be making an appearance in Paris' closing ceremony, with reports saying he had been seen filming in front of the Hollywood sign and on the streets of Paris earlier this year. But details of the ceremony's handoff had been kept secret, giving the event a thrilling element of surprise.

AUG 11, 20242:36 PM PDT

Simone Biles joins LA Mayor Karen Bass for the Olympic flag handover

The star of the Paris Olympics, superstar Simone Biles, appeared on stage with LA Mayor Karen Bass to accept the Olympic flag.

Biles held the flag while H.E.R. sang the U.S. national anthem.

AUG 11, 20242:36 PM PDT

H.E.R. sings ‘Star Spangled Banner' while Simone Biles holds Olympic flag

The California native and R&B singer H.E.R. has begun singing the U.S. national anthem after the Olympic baton was officially handed off to the L.A. Mayor Karen Bass.

H.E.R.'s performance officially marks the Olympic journey from Paris to Los Angeles, as the city of stars prepares to succeed the City of Light in hosting the Olympics in 2028.

The 27-year-old H.E.R. is a five-time Grammy winner, including Song of the Year for 2021's "I Can't Breathe." H.E.R. has also earned her an Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Fight for You," which was featured in "Judas and the Black Messiah."

While she sang the national anthem, gymnastics superstar Simone Biles held the Olympic flag next to LA Mayor Karen Bass.

AUG 11, 20242:33 PM PDT

Lights, camera, action: LA prepares to host 2028 Games

AUG 11, 20242:19 PM PDT

Here's how the ceremonial handover of the Olympic flag to LA will happen

In a few minutes, the Olympic Anthem will be played while the Olympic flag is lowered by members of several corps of the French Army.

Carrying the Olympic flag, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo will join IOC president Thomas Bach on stage. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass will him from the opposite direction.

The three are symbolically united between Europe and North America, above the Atlantic Ocean. This is where the handover takes place between Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028, the next host of the Games.

The mayor of Paris will hand the Olympic flag to the IOC president, who will then entrusts it to the mayor of Los Angeles, who will take it to California on Monday.

It will remain in California until the end of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

AUG 11, 20242:15 PM PDT

Handover to LA 2028 is next up

Tony Estanguet, president of Paris 2024, and IOC president Thomas Bach are speaking, before the handover portion of the Ceremony begins.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is set to receive the Olympic flag from Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo.

AUG 11, 20242:05 PM PDT

Biden calls Katie Ledecky to offer congratulations

Biden calls Katie Ledecky to offer congratulations
President Joe Biden called U.S. swimmer Katie Ledecky ahead of the Closing Ceremony of the Paris Olympics to offer congratulations on her performance.
AUG 11, 20242:01 PM PDT

Vampire Weekend's Ezra Koenig joins Phoenix

Ezra Koenig of the band Vampire Weekend joined Phoenix on stage, as we continue to celebrate a world with the Olympics.

AUG 11, 20241:55 PM PDT

Did you see all of these thrilling moments of the 2024 Paris Olympics? Watch them all now

AUG 11, 20241:53 PM PDT

See Olympic rings rise above the Stade de France

The Golden Voyager's world without Olympics came to an end when each of the five Olympic rings was risen into the air above the closing ceremony light show.

A pyrotechnics display takes place after the Olympic Rings are assembled. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
AUG 11, 20241:51 PM PDT

French band Phoenix rescues Ceremony from bleakness

After a bleak 27-minute segment in which the Olympic Rings were excavated from a barren world without the Olympics, it's party time in Paris.

The French band Phoenix emerged onto the stage, and the athletes flooded around them as the stadium came to life.

AUG 11, 20241:48 PM PDT

WATCH: Ledecky, Mead carry U.S. flag into Stade de France

AUG 11, 20241:46 PM PDT

Mystery solved: Jimmy Fallon was the Golden Voyager

We still don't know who the Masked Torchbearer was, but the Golden Voyager revealed himself: It's Jimmy Fallon!

"Mike, I'm just happy I got back in time to take off the golden voyager suit," Fallon told Mike Tirico on NBC.

Fallon was joking, of course. The true identity of the Golden Voyager remains a mystery. We think.

AUG 11, 20241:46 PM PDT

Why was the Greece anthem played during the Closing Ceremony of the Paris Olympics?

Time to pay homage to the OG of the OG.

Greece, the original country to host the Olympic Games, was honored at the Closing Ceremony in Paris. The tribute, part of a long-standing tradition by the host nation at the conclusion of each Games, included the raising of the Greek flag and a performance of the country's anthem.

The ceremony celebrated the first modern Games held in Athens, Greece 2,800 years ago. It took viewers in the footsteps of Pierre de Coubertin, the French aristocrat who established the International Olympic Committee that organized the first Games at the end of the 19th century.      

Greece is also honored during each Opening Ceremony as the first country to enter during the Parade of Nations.  

AUG 11, 20241:43 PM PDT

Coming soon: Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg and Red Hot Chili Peppers to perform

Coming up during the Closing Ceremony: American artists take center stage.

A Southern California-studded group of artists will perform Sunday at the Olympics Closing Ceremony as the City of Light prepares to hand off the Olympic flag to the City of Angels.

Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg and Red Hot Chili Peppers will all join in celebrating the handover from Paris to Los Angeles.

Artist and California native H.E.R. will also perform, and sing the U.S. national anthem live at the Stade de France as part of the handover.

The handover marks the beginning of the countdown to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

AUG 11, 20241:35 PM PDT

USA gymnastics now says it has video proof Jordan Chiles inquiry at center of controversy was made in time

Celebrated gymnast Jordan Chiles was asked to return her bronze medal on Sunday morning after the Court of Arbitration for Sport found that a routine inquiry into the difficulty of her floor exercise last week was made too late to count for the revision that had moved her into third place.

Now, the team says it has time-stamped, video proof the inquiry was made well within the one minute required by the governing board.

AUG 11, 20241:30 PM PDT

See the ‘Golden Voyager' descend into the Stade de France

After athletes paraded into the Stade de France during the closing ceremony, the lights were dimmed and a masked golden figure floated toward the stage. A performance by the "Golden Voyager" ensued, inspired by a time without the Olympics.

The Golden Voyager descends into the stadium as a light show takes at Stade de France on August 11, 2024. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
AUG 11, 20241:29 PM PDT

Olympic rings — and a piano — raised into the air at Closing Ceremony

The Olympic rings — and a piano — are levitating in the Paris air.

In celebration of the Games' history in Greece, the Closing Ceremony performance included the excavation of each of the nearly 20-foot rings that make up the Olympic logo, as 110 performers and acrobats performed a choreographic ballet around them.

Piano player Alain Roche was then suspended in air as he played "Hymm to Apollo," the oldest hymm from ancient Greece. It was first performed on June 16, 1894 at the International Congress in Paris for the revival of the Olympic Games. 

The rings then joined together and were raised into the air at Stade de France, symbolizing the power of diversity and solidarity.

AUG 11, 20241:23 PM PDT

Meet Nike, the winged goddess statue that came to life during the Closing Ceremony

The Golden Voyager has been introduced to the goddess Nike.

The two had an encounter during the Closing Ceremony at the Paris Olympics. Nike, the goddess of victory associated with the ancient Olympic Games, took on the features of one of the most iconic sculptures in ancient Greek art that dates to the 2nd century BC: the statue of the Victory of Samothrace.

The white marble statue is a winged sculpture that was restored after being found in pieces in Samothrace in 1863. Its head and arms were not among the more than 100 fragments found. The statue, which represents the goddess about to alight on a ship whose sailors have just won a sea battle, has been on display at the Louvre since 1866.  

The goddess’ spirit brought the original Olympic Games held in Athens, Greece at the end of the 19th century back to life at the Closing Ceremony. Athletes painted on potteries awakened and transformed first into doves of peace and then into the Olympic rings.  

Spectators in the stands at Stade de France also became part of the ceremony as the LED light bracelets they were provided helped to design Olympic symbols when illuminated.

AUG 11, 20241:20 PM PDT

Paris loves its masked tour guides

Much like the Masked Torchbearer in the Opening Ceremony, the identity of the Golden Voyager is still unknown. They emerged from the dark sky in a stunning landscape as Clément Mirguet's epic score played.

AUG 11, 20241:18 PM PDT

Meet the ‘Golden Voyager' at the center of the artistic segment of the Closing Ceremony

In a sci-fi inspired artistic portion of the ceremony, the "Golden Voyager" character was introduced in the Stade de France, in an imagining of a time without the Olympics.

The Golden Voyager character was inspired by a number of references from France's historical heritage, starting with the Spirit of the Bastille, according to the creators. It also references "The Génie de la Liberté," also called the Génie de la Bastille, a bronze-gilded statue cast in 1836 by Auguste Dumont. This allegorical statue represents Liberty and surmounts the July Column, located in the center of the Place de la Bastille in Paris.

It was meant to evoke creatures from science fiction and video games.

According to the artistic directors, another inspiration was The Voyager Golden Record, launched into space in 1977 by the Voyager spacecraft. It "inspired both the title of the Ceremony and the name of the character. This golden record, which serves as a time capsule in interstellar space and is embedded with greetings from human civilization, was made in France."

AUG 11, 20241:11 PM PDT

The internet has some *thoughts* on the Team USA outfits

The Team USA outfits, designed by Polo Ralph Lauren, are getting some attention online -- with many people drawing comparisons to NASCAR ensembles and even the most famous fictional driver of all: Will Ferrell's Ricky Bobby from "Talladega Nights."

AUG 11, 202412:55 PM PDT

The ‘sporty' Closing Ceremony outfits US athletes are wearing were designed by Polo Ralph Lauren

PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 11: Flagbearers Nick Mead and Katie Ledecky of Team United States of America hold their nation's flag during the Closing Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 11, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)

Like the preppy Opening Ceremony ensembles worn by Team USA, the outfits they're wearing now were designed by Polo Ralph Lauren.

It's the ninth time Polo Ralph Lauren has dressed Team USA.

The "sporty" jacket was paired with white denim pants and a polo shirt typical of the brand.

Ralph Lauren unveils Team USA outfits for Olympic ceremonies
The 2024 Paris Olympics mark the ninth time that Polo Ralph Lauren has outfitted Team USA at the Olympic Games.
AUG 11, 202412:43 PM PDT

Just like it did in Tokyo, Team USA dominated the pool in Paris. Revisit some of the most incredible moments

Swimming at the 2024 Olympics ended with the U.S. claiming more medals in both women's and men's events.

Torri Huske and Regan Smith were among the competitors as the U.S. won gold in the women's 4x100m medley relay, setting a world record in the process. Bobby Finke also won gold and set a world record in the men's 1500m freestyle.

Watch some of the best moments as Team USA collected a Paris-high 28 total swimming medals here.

HIGHLIGHTS: Ledecky picks up another medal, US women take home silver in swimming 4x200m free relay
Watch Katie Ledecky, Claire Weinstein, Paige Madden, and Erin Gemmell battle in the pool for a silver medal in the women's 4x200m freestyle relay.
AUG 11, 202412:42 PM PDT

See Team USA's flag bearers at the closing ceremony

U.S. rower Nick Mead (left) and U.S. swimmer Katie Ledecky (right) carried the United States' flag into the Stade de France during the opening ceremony.

At this year's Games, Mead won gold in the men's coxless four final. Ledecky won her ninth gold medal and fourteenth medal overall, making her the most decorated U.S. women in Olympics history.

Flagbearers Nick Mead and Katie Ledecky. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
AUG 11, 202412:40 PM PDT

Netherlands' Sifan Hassan to receive women's marathon gold

Dutch long-distance runner Sifan Hassan is set to receive her gold medal at the Closing Ceremony, which she earned in the women's marathon.

Hassan set an Olympic record in the event, finishing at 2:22.55 that narrowly topped Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa by .03 seconds.

The 31-year-old Hassan also won bronze in the women's 5,000m and 10,000m earlier in Paris. In Tokyo, she had earned gold in the same events.

Netherlands' Sifan Hassan wins women's marathon with new Olympic record
Dutch runner Sifan Hassan won the women’s marathon event Sunday with a new Olympic record.
AUG 11, 202412:37 PM PDT

French-fried fans clapped their hands and packed the stands at Paris 2024

AUG 11, 202412:31 PM PDT

Mead ‘humbled' to be carrying US flag with Ledecky

As Katie Ledecky and Nick Mead carried the American flag around the Stade de France, they talked to MIke Tirico and Jimmy Fallon about the experience.

"I'm so honored and humbled to be standing next to Katie to represent the United States, and the sport of rowing," said Mead, who won a gold medal in the men's eight rowing competition.

The two struggled to hear Fallon and Tirico above the crowd's roar in Stade de France.

When asked by Fallon, Ledecky kept open the possibility of swimming again in Los Angeles in 2028.

"I think swimming in front of the home crowd would be incredible," she said.

AUG 11, 202412:30 PM PDT

We asked Team USA Olympians to dress their medals in miniature clothes

Paris is known as the fashion capital of the world, so we asked Team USA athletes to dress their medals in chic miniature clothes.

See what they came up with in the video below:

We asked Team USA Olympians to dress their medals in miniature clothes
Paris is known as the fashion capital of the world, so we asked Team USA athletes to dress their medals in chic miniature clothes.
AUG 11, 202412:28 PM PDT

See the moment Katie Ledecky found out she'd be one of the US flag bearers

The swimming superstar was almost moved to tears when she got the call.

AUG 11, 202412:22 PM PDT

For the first time, the women's marathon members will receive their medals during the Closing Ceremony

The modern Olympics have traditionally presented the winners of the men's marathon with their medals at the Closing Ceremony. However, in Paris 2024, the men's and women's marathons have swapped places, giving women the honor of being the athletes highlighted at the Closing Ceremony for the first time.

Since the first modern Olympics in 1896, the winners of the the men's marathon have been presented their medals during the Closing Ceremony as a way to have one culminating event bring the Olympics to a close.

The marathon was chosen as the event to be showcased as it is seen as one of, if not the, most challenging, with no athlete ever winning more than two medals in it.

Read more about the historic first here.

AUG 11, 202412:20 PM PDT

Why don't the athletes parade behind their country's flag bearers in the Parade of Athletes?

The athletes enter the stadium en masse to take part in the parade.

It was at the Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games that, for the first time at the Closing Ceremony, the athletes no longer followed their delegation's flag-bearer according to the protocol order, but mingled together.

AUG 11, 202412:17 PM PDT

Parade of Athletes beginning

The Parade of Athletes, with representatives of each of the 205 delegations, has started.

The flag bearers of each delegation are starting the parade on the stage, in the centre of the stadium, that symbolically represents a planisphere.

Then the athletes will enter the arena together from two entry points to join the parade.

The two U.S. flag bearers are swimming superstar Katie Ledecky and rower Nick Mead.

AUG 11, 202412:16 PM PDT

In a sharp black suit, Marchand enters the Jardin des Tuileries

Aug 11, 2024; Saint-Denis, France; Leon Marchand walks into the Jardin des Tuileries during the closing ceremony for the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games. (Andrew Nelles/USA TODAY Sports)
AUG 11, 202412:13 PM PDT

French flag presented and French anthem ‘La Marseillaise' played

The French flag is entering the stadium, carried by members of several corps of the French Army.

It will raised while the National Anthem, the Marseillaise, is sung by the Maîtrise de Fontainebleau accompanied by the Orchestre Divertimento, under the baton of conductor Zahia Ziouani.

AUG 11, 202412:09 PM PDT

Olympic Flame's journey to Stade de France begins with star swimmer Leon Marchand

After the Ceremony opens with a choir performing "Sous le ciel do Paris" in the Jardin des Tuileries, French breakout star Leon Marchand, who won four swimming gold medals at these Olympics, takes the flame in a lantern to begin its journey back to Stade de France, where the heart of the Ceremony takes place.

AUG 11, 202412:06 PM PDT

Who organized the closing ceremony for the 2024 Olympics?

Maja Hitij/Getty ImagesA general view of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games

A general view of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Cauldron, air ballon prior to the Closing Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 11, 2024 in Paris, France.

For the closing ceremony at the 2024 Olympics, the French spent years planning a jaw-dropping spectacle to show the world the country's abilities and culture.

The team behind the closing ceremony, who also organized the opening ceremony, have been met with both praise and controversy.

Here is everything you need to know:

The Ceremonies Artistic Director for the Paris Games was Thomas Jolly, a French actor and director. Working for him is a team of people who work in dance, costumes, staging and so on.

Read Full Article

AUG 11, 202412:01 PM PDT

2024 Paris Olympics Closing ceremony gets underway

The Closing Ceremony is about to get underway, with the Parade of Athletes beginning at the Stade de France.

Follow along here and watch live here and on Peacock.

AUG 11, 202410:56 AM PDT

When are the Paralympic Games? Everything to know for the action in Paris

When are the Paralympic Games? Everything to know for the action in Paris

Here’s everything you need to know about the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

Can't wait for Milan Cortina for the next round of Olympics action? You're in luck, because the next Paralympic Games begin in Paris this week.

The Opening Ceremony is set for Wednesday, Aug. 28, with competition officially getting underway on Thursday, Aug. 29.

Over the course of 11 days, an expected 4,400 elite athletes will compete for their place in Paralympic history.

A total of 549 events will be held across 22 sports, with medals awarded on each day of the Paralympic Games.

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AUG 11, 202410:05 AM PDT

As the Games draw to a close in Paris, Olympic watchers turn to 2026 Milan Cortina

As the Games draw to a close in Paris, Olympic watchers turn to 2026 Milan Cortina

The organizers of the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Italy have unveiled the official mascots.

As the 2024 Summer Olympics draw to a close after a glittering turn in France, eyes will turn to another European country as the host of the 2026 Winter Olympics: Italy.

During the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympics, venues will dot northern Italy to host skiing, skating, sledding and other winter events.

This will be the fourth time Italy has played host to the Olympics. It previously was the site of the 1956 Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics, the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, and the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics. 

The 2026 Winter Olympics will be held in the Italian cities of Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo.

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AUG 11, 20249:36 AM PDT

‘Star-Spangled Banner' brings Griner to tears during medal ceremony

Team USA women's basketball has won its eighth straight gold medal in Paris.

The celebration moved star Brittney Griner to tears.

The three-time gold medal winner Griner was imprisoned in Russia for 10 months before being released in a prisoner exchange in December 2022.

The final game of the 2024 Olympics brought plenty of drama as the Americans walked away with a buzzer-beating victory over France when Gabby Wilson's last-second three-point attempt came after the clock hit zero.

AUG 11, 20249:25 AM PDT

Amateur runners race like Olympians along the same iconic route as competitors in Paris

Ever wondered what it might feel like to be an Olympian?

Thousands of amateur runners got that chance Saturday night, tackling either a marathon or 10-kilometer race (6.2 miles) along the same iconic route as the elite athletes who competed at the 2024 Olympics.

Opening up the route to the public is a first for the Olympics, according to the official website of the Paris Games. Combined for both races, more than 40,000 people signed up from 127 countries for the "Marathon pour tous," or Marathon for All.

A few hours after the male Olympians crossed the same finish line, the amateur runners set off as music and cheering crowds hyped them up. The women’s Olympic marathon followed Sunday morning.

Read more about "the best way to end the Olympics Games"

AUG 11, 20248:55 AM PDT

At the end of the Paris 2024 Olympics, US tied for most gold medals

In the past three Olympic Games, the U.S. has claimed the title of most gold medals won. Often it was closely followed by China, and in the Beijing 2008 Games, China beat the U.S. for most golds.

From the start of the Paris 2024 Olympics, the race was on to see who would clinch the most first-place titles. Early in the Games, the U.S. was placing around fourth for most gold medals, while China held strong to the number-one spot.

But Team USA slowly climbed the ranks and about halfway through the Games, it reached the top. For the past few days, it's been unclear which country would ultimately take home the most gold.

Just before the last event of this year's Games, the women's basketball gold medal game between the U.S. and France, the U.S. sat at number two — just one medal behind China. In a particularly close game, Team USA just managed to secure their final gold medal. In the end, the U.S. and China tied for most gold medals.

The U.S. also tops the charts in most silver medals, bronze medals and medals overall.

AUG 11, 20248:28 AM PDT

US women's basketball team wins eighth consecutive gold medal in thriller over France

Eight straight!

The U.S. women’s basketball team extended its Olympic dynasty on Sunday by defeating France 67-66 to win an eighth consecutive gold medal. But of those eight podiums the team has reached the top of, the climb in Paris may have been the most challenging of all.

With the U.S. up by three and seconds remaining, France's Gabby Williams banked in a shot from deep at the buzzer, but her foot was on the 3-point line, allowing the U.S. to escape with a one-point win and yet another gold medal.

It was Kahleah Copper who helped deliver gold, scoring 10 points off the bench in the fourth quarter, including a pair of free throws with five seconds remaining that proved to be the difference. A'ja Wilson had 21 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks to lead the U.S.

AUG 11, 20248:14 AM PDT

Jennifer Valente wins women's omnium, keeps Team USA alive to tie China's gold medal total

U.S. cyclist Jennifer Valente is a back-to-back Olympic champion in the women's omnium.

Valente's gold medal victory Sunday is the United States' 39th top-of-the-podium finish in Paris, one shy of China's 40.

With a win in women's basketball, America will tie the 40 gold-medal count. It has already secured the most medals in the 2024 Olympics.

AUG 11, 20248:09 AM PDT

Jordan Chiles must return bronze medal after court mandates score change, IOC says

American gymnast Jordan Chiles must return the bronze medal she won in the Paris Olympics floor exercise after sport's highest court said her score was judged improperly, the International Olympic Committee confirmed Sunday.

The IOC announced early Sunday it was reallocating the bronze from Monday's women's floor final to Romanian Ana Barbosu after the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) said Saturday night it would respect the court's decision and elevate Barbosu to third.

The decision came less than 24 hours after the Court of Arbitration for Sport voided a scoring appeal made by Team USA coach Cecile Landi during the competition that had vaulted Chiles onto the podium.

Read more of the IOC's decision on Jordan Chiles' bronze medal

AUG 11, 20247:46 AM PDT

Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg and Red Hot Chili Peppers performing at Olympics Closing Ceremony

A Southern California-studded group of artists will perform Sunday at the Olympics Closing Ceremony as the City of Light prepares to hand off the Olympic flag to the City of Angels.

Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg and Red Hot Chili Peppers will take the stage to celebrate the LA28 handover.

Artist and California native H.E.R. will also perform, and sing the U.S. national anthem live at the Stade de France as part of the handover.

The handover marks the beginning of the countdown to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

The Closing Ceremony will begin airing live on NBC and stream live on Peacock and NBCOlympics.com, beginning Aug. 11 at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT.

AUG 11, 20247:30 AM PDT

IOC President Bach to step down

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach will not seek a third term in 2025 despite calls from members to keep the role.

IOC President to step down
The International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach will not seek a third term in 2025 despite calls from members to keep the role.
AUG 11, 20246:37 AM PDT

Shirtless man climbing Eiffel Tower prompts evacuation hours before Closing Ceremony

Shirtless man climbing Eiffel Tower prompts evacuation hours before Closing Ceremony

Janet Evans, a four-time Olympic gold medalist, remembers being in the stands of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics as a hopeful 12-year-old. Now 40 years later, Evans is in Paris as the 2028 games’ Chief Athlete Officer to speak with athletes ahead of the LA28.

Authorities have evacuated the Eiffel Tower after a man was seen climbing the Paris landmark hours before the Olympics Closing Ceremony Sunday.

The shirtless man was seen scaling the 1,083-foot tall tower in the afternoon. It's unclear where he began his ascent, but he was spotted just above the Olympic rings adorning the second section of the monument, just above the first viewing deck.

The Eiffel Tower was a centerpiece of the opening ceremony, with Celine Dion serenading the city from one of its viewing areas. The Tower is not expected to be part of the closing ceremony, which was set to begin at Stade de France in the Saint-Denis area around 9 p.m.

More than 30,000 police officers have been deployed around Paris and beyond to watch over the last Olympic events and the closing ceremony Sunday.

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AUG 10, 20246:35 PM PDT

Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg and Red Hot Chili Peppers performing at Olympics Closing Ceremony

A Southern California-studded group of artists will perform Sunday at the Olympics Closing Ceremony as the City of Light prepares to hand off the Olympic flag to the City of Angels.

Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg and Red Hot Chili Peppers will take the stage to celebrate the LA28 handover.

Artist and California native H.E.R. will also perform, and sing the U.S. national anthem live at the Stade de France as part of the handover.

The handover marks the beginning of the countdown to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

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AUG 9, 20246:03 PM PDT

In a change of tradition, the medalists for the women's marathon — instead of the men's — will be honored in Closing Ceremony

In a change of tradition, the medalists for the women's marathon — instead of the men's — will be honored in Closing Ceremony

Swimmer Katie Ledecky and rower Nick Mead selected as Team USA’s Closing Ceremony flag bearers in Paris

The modern Olympics have traditionally presented the winners of the men's marathon with their medals at the Closing Ceremony. However, in Paris 2024, the men' and women's marathons have swapped places, giving women the honor of being the athletes highlighted at the Closing Ceremony for the first time.

Here is everything to know about the tradition and historic first:

Since the first modern Olympics in 1896, the winners of the the men's marathon have been presented their medals during the Closing Ceremony as a way to have one culminating event bring the Olympics to a close.

The marathon was chosen as the event to be showcased as it is seen as one of, if not the, most challenging, with no athlete ever winning more than two medals in it.

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AUG 8, 20248:45 PM PDT

When was the last Olympics where Team USA didn't win the most golds, total medals?

When was the last Olympics where Team USA didn't win the most golds, total medals?
These are the most stunning last-second points and photo finishes of the Paris Olympics.

Team USA has won the most medals at an Olympics once again.

The United States brought its overall medal haul up to 247 before Sunday's Closing Ceremony, good for a 35-plus-medal advantage over second-place China.

The gold medal race, however, is a much different story. The United States overtook China for the most gold medals on Day 11, but China drew even on Day 14 before taking a one-medal advantage on Day 15.

It came down to the wire on Day 16 as the U.S. women's basketball outlasted France in a nail-biter.

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AUG 6, 20249:13 PM PDT

See where Biles, Huske, US Olympians rank among gold and total medal leaders in Paris

See where Biles, Huske, US Olympians rank among gold and total medal leaders in Paris
Simone Biles added four Olympic medals to her collection with her performances in Paris. Here’s a look at how she got each one.

Several American Olympians racked up the medals in Paris.

Team USA had six athletes with at least four total medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Swimmers Torri Huske and Regan Smith tied for a Team USA-high five medals, while swimmers Kate Douglass, Katie Ledecky and Gretchen Walsh -- along with gymnast Simone Biles -- all recorded four podium finishes.

Meanwhile, Biles, Huske and sprinter Gabby Thomas tied for the Team USA lead in gold medals with three apiece.

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