Paris Paralympics 2024: A Glittering Closing Ceremony with Emmanuel Macron and Indian Heroes
The Paris Paralympics concluded with a spectacular closing ceremony on Sunday. French singer Santa opened the event with Johnny Hallyday’s song ‘Vivre pour le Meilleur,’ accompanied by video sequences from past Paralympic Games.
Despite the weather preventing the cauldron flight, the ceremony continued with the introduction of French President Emmanuel Macron and International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons. The French flag was raised to the national anthem, ‘The Marseillaise,’ sung by the crowd as the French Army raised the flag.
The Parade of Nations followed, with countries entering in alphabetical order to music by the Republican Guard. Harvinder Singh and Preeti Pal were the flag bearers for India. Harvinder Singh made history by winning India’s first-ever gold in para-archery, while Preeti Pal earned two bronze medals. India finished the Games with a record 29 medals, including seven golds, nine silvers, and 13 bronzes, surpassing their previous best at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.
Tony Estanguet, President of the Paris 2024 Organising Committee, and Andrew Parsons addressed the crowd. Newly elected members of the IPC Athletes Council were introduced, and over 2,000 volunteers were thanked and cheered by the audience.
Eight dancers, including some specially-abled, performed to DJ Cut Killer’s beats, celebrating diversity. The Paralympic Anthem was played, and the flag was lowered by the French Army. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass joined the stage for the flag handover to the USA, marked by the American national anthem sung by Ali Stroker.
Performances by violinist Gaelynn Lea, rapper Garnet Silver-Hall, and Grammy-winning artist Anderson Paak followed. At the Jardin des Tuileries, Amadou and Mariam performed a composition by Serge Gainsbourg, and French Paralympic champion Aurellie Aubert extinguished the cauldron flame, marking the end of the Games.
At the Stade de France, 24 electronic music artists, including Jean-Michel Jarre, performed, transforming the stadium into a disco with a light show. The closing performance featured French para-cyclist Alexandre Leaute and DJ Martin Solveig.
Doubts Revealed
Paris Paralympics -: The Paralympics is a major international sports event for athletes with disabilities. The 2024 edition was held in Paris, France.
Emmanuel Macron -: Emmanuel Macron is the President of France, the country where the 2024 Paralympics took place.
Harvinder Singh -: Harvinder Singh is an Indian athlete who competed in the Paralympics and was one of the flag bearers for India.
Preeti Pal -: Preeti Pal is another Indian athlete who competed in the Paralympics and was also a flag bearer for India.
Parade of Nations -: The Parade of Nations is a part of the closing ceremony where athletes from all participating countries march together.
Tribute to volunteers -: This is a special part of the ceremony where they thank all the people who helped make the event possible.
Handover to Los Angeles -: This means that the next Paralympics will be held in Los Angeles, USA, and they symbolically pass the responsibility to them.
Santa -: Santa is a French singer who performed at the closing ceremony.
Gaelynn Lea -: Gaelynn Lea is a violinist who performed at the closing ceremony. She is known for her beautiful music.
Anderson Paak -: Anderson Paak is a famous musician who has won Grammy awards. He also performed at the closing ceremony.
IPC President Andrew Parsons -: Andrew Parsons is the President of the International Paralympic Committee, the organization that oversees the Paralympics.
