About 70,000 spectators gathered at the "Stade de France" for the closing of the 33rd Summer Olympic Games in Paris. 270 artists and performers participated in the show, BNR reported.
The ceremony began in the Tuileries Gardens, where the Olympic flame was placed during the Games. France's swimming star, Leon Marchand, approached the Olympic flame with a lantern and lit it. With it he headed to the "Stade de France".
IOC President Thomas Bach and French President Emmanuel Macron were greeted by people in the stands.
The performance of the "Marseillaise" arranged by Victor le Massenet. Then it was time for the parade of nations, with all the standard bearers marching out together. The Bulgarian flag was proudly waved by Boryana Kalein and Semyon Novikov. The athletes continued to have fun during the parade as we heard hits like "Les Champs-Elysées" by Jo Dassin, "Freed From Desire" and Queen's great song "We Are the Champions".
Traditionally, the closing ceremony usually includes an award ceremony for the marathon medalists. Usually it's for the medalists in the men's marathon, but this time the ladies had the honor of receiving their honors at the "Stade de France" to highlight the "Women's March on Versailles" in 1789. Sifan Hassan, Tigst Assefa and Helen Obiri received their medals. Then it was turned to a marathon, which took place in Paris on August 10th. Over 20,000 attended the event. This mass marathon "Marathon for all" (Marathon Pour Tous) is held for the first time at the Olympic Games.
There was no way the volunteers could not get the applause they deserved. The four newly elected members of the IOC Athletes' Commission - Alison Felix, Kim Bui, Jessica Fox and Marcus Daniel - were also introduced. They presented gifts to the representatives of the volunteers.
Then followed the artistic part of the ceremony. A golden traveler appeared from the sky. This character is inspired by references to French history.
The Greek flag was raised and the country's national anthem played in recognition of its role in the start of the Olympic Games. Here we saw a very original way of observing tradition, being transported in the footsteps of Pierre de Coubertin at the end of the 19th century, when he revived the ancient Olympic Games.
Nike, the goddess of victory who is depicted on every Olympic medal, appeared in the middle of the scene.
In the stands, LED bracelets handed out to spectators created images of athletes painted on ceramic, then doves of peace and finally the Olympic rings.
In an impressive choreographed ballet, the golden traveler discovered the Olympic rings. During this time, the French opera singer Benjamin Bernheim sang "Hymn to Apollo". During this time, Alain Roche played the piano while suspended vertically in the air.
The athletes took to the stage, which is arranged to represent the map of the world. For the musical part of the show, the group Phoenix took the stage first, and at one point Angel joined. Kaminsky, Air, and Vannda also pitched in.