Triumphs, challenges and unity in Paris: A glorious farewell to the 2024 Olympics

PARIS — It’s time to say au revoir to the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad.

The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris have officially drawn to a close, capping off 19 days of eye-popping spectacle, jaw-dropping athletic triumphs and ear-splitting cheers from spectators across the French capital and around the world.

The Paris Games culminated in a spectacular closing ceremony. More than 10,000 athletes paraded through the Stade de France north of Paris. Olympic gold medalists Katie Ledecky and Nick Mead proudly represented Team USA as flag bearers.

The indie group Phoenix and the R&B singer H.E.R. rocked out for the crowds. Tom Cruise, symbolizing the handover to the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, rappelled down into the stadium, accepted the Olympic flag and sped away on a motorcycle.

The lavish ceremony provided a fitting end to more than two weeks of competition boasting extraordinary feats of strength and resilience — particularly for Team USA, which collected a staggering 125 medals, including 40 golds.

Simone Biles, Suni Lee and the rest of the U.S. women’s gymnastics squad dazzled on their “redemption tour,” expertly executing gravity-defying routines. Ledecky lapped up four medals, becoming the most decorated American woman in Olympic history.

The stars of track and field dashed to greatness. Sha’Carri Richardson led the U.S. women to Olympic relay gold. Noah Lyles took on a new title after winning the men’s 100 meters: fastest man in the world. Gabby Thomas conquered the women’s 200 meters. Cole Hocker, a 21-to-1 long shot, pulled a shocker in the men’s 1,500.