Paris Olympics 2024 closing ceremony avoids controversy after opening criticism

The 2024 Paris Olympics wrapped up with the closing ceremony on Sunday, August 11, following some controversy surrounding the opening ceremony.

The closing ceremony, led by artistic director Thomas Jolly—who also directed the July 26 opening ceremony that faced criticism from some viewers and religious groups—featured performances by rock band Phoenix, French DJ Kavinsky, and singer H.E.R., along with a dramatic handover to the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles with Tom Cruise.

The event also showcased French flair with a segment titled "Records," where French breakdancer Arthur Cadre, portraying a golden traveler, honored the origins of the Olympic Games. Cadre was joined by 270 performers who helped reveal the Olympic rings from below.

The ceremony reached an emotional high when the Olympic flame was extinguished while French singer Yseult performed a rendition of "My Way," originally popularized by Frank Sinatra.

While the ceremony was memorable, it is unlikely to provoke the same level of outrage as the opening ceremony.

The summer games began with a grand four-hour opening ceremony in Paris on July 26. Highlights included performances by Céline Dion and Lady Gaga against the backdrop of the Eiffel Tower and the River Seine, but one segment featuring drag queens and dancers at a long table faced backlash from some viewers due to its perceived resemblance to Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.”

Critics on social media described the scene as a “mockery” and “insulting to Christian people,” while others praised its inclusivity. The official X account for the Olympics clarified on July 26 that the imagery was intended to represent the Greek God Dionysus, not the Biblical Last Supper, and aimed to highlight the absurdity of violence among humans.