Olympics 2024 closing ceremony highlights: France's Leon Marchand blows out Olympic flame; Paris hands over baton to LA

Thank you for reading HT’s live blog of the Paris Olympics 2024 closing ceremony from Paris. Summer Games 2024 have been closed after a star-studded closing ceremony at the Stade de France in Paris. Fireworks went off atop of the stadium as ‘Seine-sational’ Paris bid 'au revoir' to the Olympics.

Paris Olympics 2024, Closing Ceremony Live Updates: According to International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach, the Paris Games had been "sport at its best". "These were sensational Olympic Games from start to finish," Bach said. "Or dare I say: Seine-sational Games," the IOC chief said. Paris Olympics are officially closed. Paris already handed over the Olympic flag to Los Angeles - the hosts of the next Olympic Games. "This is the biggest moment in LA28 history to date, as the Olympic flag passes from Paris to LA," LA28 Chairperson and President Casey Wasserman said.

Paris Olympics 2024, Closing Ceremony Live Updates: That's how you close out two and a half extraordinary weeks of Olympic action in Paris. Billie Eilish performed Birds of a Feather in the LA handover of the Olympic Games. Moments later, Snoop Dogg took over and performed his iconic track - Snoop D.O. Double G.

Paris Olympics 2024, Closing Ceremony Live Updates: After Hollywood legend Tom Cruise made a dramatic entry into the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics at the Stade de France, Olympics mainstay Snoop Dogg and rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers made their presence felt as part of the LA handover. Formed in Los Angeles in 1982, Red Hot Chili Peppers played Can't Stop from their eighth studio album - By the Way.

Paris Olympics 2024, Closing Ceremony Live Updates: With the Paris Olympics drawing to a close, Hollywood glamour has taken over as Billie Eilish and Red Hot Chili Peppers are next with their musical acts. Taking over the hosting duties from Paris, Grammy winner Billie Eilish and Red Hot Chili Peppers performed their hits on Los Angeles' Venice Beach.

Paris Olympics 2024, Closing Ceremony Live Updates: He is here! Tom Cruise descends from the top of Stade de France on a cable during the Olympics closing ceremony. After H.E.R. performed the US national anthem at the Stade de France, Cruise made a stunning entrance! Paris has handed over the Olympic flag to Los Angeles in style.

Paris Olympics 2024, Closing Ceremony Live Updates: International Olympic Committee head Thomas Bach used his speech at the Paris Olympics closing ceremony to call for a "culture of peace" in a war-torn world. Bach asserted that the Games can create a cultural peace that inspires the world. He noted that athletes respected each other even if their countries were divided by conflict.

Paris Olympics 2024, Closing Ceremony Live Updates: The first half of Tony Estanguet's speech was in French. He also addressed Stade de France in English. “We wanted excitement, we got passion,” Estanguet said. Estanguet also mentioned that the Paris Games witnessed the most number of wedding proposals. Athletes were seen heading to the exits during the speech. Thomas Bach is on the podium for his special message.

Paris Olympics 2024, Closing Ceremony Live Updates: Stade de France was definitely rocking! Lead singer Thomas Mars had his crowd surf. French artists made athletes jam at the famous venue. Phoenix played Tonight with Ezra Koenig joining on the stage. The list included Angele, Justice and Kavinsky but there was no Daft Punk!

Paris Olympics 2024, Closing Ceremony Live Updates: After another montage, Tony Estanguet is addressing a packed Stade de France. He is accompanied by Thomas Bach - President of the International Olympic Committee. Estanguet is a three-time Olympic champion. He was also France’s flag-bearer at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. The crowd roared again as Estanguet mentioned French swimmer Léon Marchand in his powerful speech.

Paris Olympics 2024, Closing Ceremony Live Updates: Some of the best artists from the French music scene are closing the Summer Games in Paris. Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend was here. Cambodian rapper Vannda also performed with Phoenix.

Paris Olympics 2024, Closing Ceremony Live Updates: French producer Kavinsky has taken over with the banger Nightcall at the Stade de France. For the uninitiated, Nightcall is the 2010 single by Kavinsky that was featured in the 2011 movie - Drive. The chorus is from Lovefoxxx while verses are done by Kavinsky and Sébastien Tellier. The party is just getting started in Paris!

Paris Olympics 2024, Closing Ceremony Live Updates: What's next? Well, it's better to keep it a surprise. Paris Olympics is drawing to a close at the Stade de France. We are moments away from the next act at the packed venue in Paris. The theatrical sequence entitled Records showcased the dream-like journey with Golden Voyager leading from the front. The odyssey begins at the origins of the Olympic Games prior to entering a science-fiction-filled dystopian future - where the Olympic Games have vanished and must be rediscovered!

The voyager discovered the symbols of peace and unity. The values of Olympism have also been displayed at the Stade de France.

Paris Olympics 2024, Closing Ceremony Live Updates: French pianist and opera singer Benjamin Bernheim has put on an exhibition, folks! Hymn to Apollo it is. Alain Roche is playing the piano. All Olympic rings are getting together in the closing ceremony at the Stade de France.

Paris Olympics 2024, Closing Ceremony Live Updates: Pierre de Coubertin's vision for the modern Olympic Games was to revive the ancient tradition, emphasizing the values of peace, unity, and friendly competition among nations. Greece's contribution lies in its historical significance as the birthplace of the original Olympic Games and its ongoing participation and influence in the modern Olympic movement.

Paris Olympics 2024, Closing Ceremony Live Updates: Paris is poised to hand the Olympic baton to Los Angeles. The Greek flag was attached to a pole, later grabbed by the Golden Voyager. The light show is peaking at the Stade de France; we are witnessing the excavation of the Olympic rings right now!

Paris Olympics 2024, Closing Ceremony Live Updates: Fans, athletes, journalists, volunteers, and upper echelons of the sports fraternity have been treated to a spectacular light show at the Stade de France. With the golden voyager arriving at the famous venue, we are now being told to stand up for the national anthem of Greece!

Paris Olympics 2024, Closing Ceremony Live Updates: It's time for the volunteers! 'Merci' to the participants who have taken centre stage at the Stade de France. The new members of the International Olympic Committee are being revealed! Four voices have taken the vacant spots at the Paris Games.

Paris Olympics 2024, Closing Ceremony Live Updates: We Are The Champions from legendary rock band Queen is belted at the Stade de France as athletes enjoy the joyful atmosphere in Paris. The home of the French national football team lits up once again! We are having a medal ceremony for the women’s Paris Olympics marathon. Did you know? Instead of the men’s race, the women’s marathon was held on the final day of the Olympics for the first time in Paris.

Paris Olympics 2024, Closing Ceremony Live Updates: Algerian boxing champion Imane Khelif is among the flag bearers at the closing ceremony for the Paris Olympics. Khelif, who faced criticism and false claims about her sex, won a historic gold for Algeria in the women's 66 kg class of the Summer Games.

Paris Olympics 2024, Closing Ceremony Live Updates: Great Britain has also arrived. The USA squad is also at the Stade de France. The USA will host the next edition of the Olympics as Paris is handing the Olympic baton to Los Angeles. Grammy-winning artist H.E.R. will perform the US national anthem live in Paris.

Paris Olympics 2024, Closing Ceremony Live Updates: Following the alphabetical order, each nation's athletes are making their way out at the Stade de France. Australia, Germany, Tunisia, Portugal, Japan, Spain and Algeria have all arrived at the venue. So many languages but no strangers in Paris!

Paris Olympics 2024, Closing Ceremony Live Updates: Athletes have graced Stade de France! The athletes arrived with their flags and the noise of the fans was up by a notch. The medallists take the stage after their historic outings at the Summer Games in Paris. Earlier, USA upstaged China to top the final medal standings of the Paris Olympics.

Paris Olympics 2024, Closing Ceremony Live Updates: Paris is closing out two and a half extraordinary weeks of Olympic sports and emotion with the star-studded ceremony at the Stade de France. After French President Emmanuel Macron and International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach took their seats, a singer belted Under The Skies of Paris at the venue. Flagbearers have taken their respective positions after the flag parade.

Paris Olympics 2024, Closing Ceremony Live Updates: After a lovely rendition of the French national anthem, French and Olympic flags have been raised at Stade de France in Paris. Up next is the flag parade - Greece, who are leading the tradition, are joined by hosts France.