The Paris Olympics have officially concluded with the closing ceremony. Continuing under the artistic direction of Thomas Jolly, it was filled with French aesthetics and colors. Compared to the grand diversity of the opening ceremony, the epic closing ceremony did not disappoint either!
This theatrical performance, themed “Records,” resonates with the spirit of the modern father of the Olympics, presenting a more relaxed atmosphere. However, with artists from various fields joining together—ranging from renowned actors and acrobats to circus performers—it beautifully blends classical and contemporary cultural and artistic elements. The show continues to reflect a significant amount of French romance, testifying to Thomas Jolly’s talent and depth. Not only does it write a new history for the Olympics and the world, but it also leaves a truly unforgettable impression. Therefore, let us unveil various surprises and Easter eggs once again!
The “Eternal Flame” without Fire
The first highlight of the closing ceremony is the long-awaited revelation of how the “sacred flame” will be passed on to the next Olympics! This year’s “sacred flame” on the cauldron was created using 40 LED lights and 200 water mist devices, rather than real fire, which has generated a great deal of excitement about the method of its transmission.
The ceremony opened with the classic song “Sous le Ciel de Paris” performed by French singer Zaho de Sagazan and the choir. This was followed by Léon Marchand, the French athlete who won four gold medals in swimming competitions, making his way to the hot air balloon flame cauldron in the Tuileries Garden. Dressed in a Louis Vuitton suit, he made a surprise appearance as the final torchbearer of the Paris Olympics.
Thus, the “Olympic flame” was immediately extinguished, carried in the torch held by Léon Marchand, and escorted to the Stade de France, symbolizing the official start of the closing ceremony.
Finally, as we return to the traditional sports arena, after the President of the Olympic Committee announces the closing of the Olympics, Léon Marchand along with athletes representing the five continents and the refugee team extinguished the flame on stage, symbolizing the conclusion of the 2024 Paris Olympics, which is truly extraordinary.
The stage design of the Stade de France is a silhouette of a world map.
The closing ceremony this time centered around the Stade de France, so after French swimmer Léon Marchand carried the torch towards the Stade de France, the camera’s overhead view revealed the eye-catching irregular stage design inside the venue.
As the largest stadium in France, it was specifically built for the 1998 World Cup, designed collaboratively by architects Macary, Zublena, Regembal, and Costantini. During the recent Paris Olympics, many events also took place here, witnessing the emergence of numerous medal winners, making the choice of this venue for the closing ceremony especially meaningful.
This is a world map created using geometric shapes, representing the five continents (the five continents adopted by the United Nations geographical scheme and the Olympics: Asia, Europe, Africa, the Americas, and Oceania).
Upon closer inspection, you can also see a giant Olympic gold medal in the center of the stage, positioned in the very place where the Olympics originated—Greece; and the straight line in the middle connects two continents, symbolizing the locations of the next two Olympic games, which will be held in the United States and Australia. Such a beautifully clever idea!
The mysterious character of the opening and closing
The third to appear —— “Golden Voyager”!
In the chapter of the grand opera titled “The Golden Voyager,” Thomas Jolly defines it as a performance of “dystopia,” drawing inspiration from science fiction, where the “Golden Traveler” clad in golden armor makes a mysterious appearance!
In an atmosphere where darkness intertwines with light, the “Golden Traveler” descends from the heights of the arena to the stage, symbolizing Europe/Greece, the birthplace of the Olympics, and begins a wild dance. The story narrates the journey of an interstellar traveler who, in a distant future, discovers the remnants of the Olympic Games and embarks on rebuilding them. It reflects on the history of the French Baron Pierre de Frédy (French: Pierre de Frédy, Baron de Coubertin), who is hailed as the “Father of the Modern Olympics” and his quest for the ancient Olympic legacy at the end of the 19th century, which paved the way for the modern Olympic Games.
The International Olympic Committee stated, “The Golden Voyager has landed in a desolate and mysterious world, ready to explore.”
Later, at the opening ceremony, two mysterious figures — the Silver Knight and the Masked Man, appeared again. This time, they did not soar through the air or dive into the sea with torches throughout the venue, but instead held the flag of the birthplace of the Olympics (Greece) and slowly hung it up, symbolizing the beginning of the ancient Olympics 2,800 years ago.
Last time, I explained that the “Silver Knightess” is portrayed by French gendarmerie warrant officer Floriane Lssert. This time, she also dazzles in a silver suit in collaboration with the Parisian independent footwear brand b o t h X JEANNE FRIOT, embodying the spirit of “Joan of Arc” at the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics. Notably, the brand b o t h not only focuses on innovative shoe design, but also centers its core and design philosophy around “Balance.” This collaborative shoe exemplifies b o t h’s relentless spirit, pursuit of excellence, and courage to break boundaries, while echoing the Olympic spirit of “mutual understanding, lasting friendship, unity, and fair competition.”
Then looking at the flag, it symbolizes the handover between the “Silver Knight” and the masked figure to the “Golden Traveler,” carrying a sense of “heritage.”
The new character — the “Golden Traveler” — is portrayed by dancer Arthur Cadre. The golden armor he wears, with its stunning colors, bold texture variations, and design, has become a highlight of the performance.
This golden gown, designed by Swiss fashion designer Kevin Germanier, is made up of 20,000 beads and is inspired by the Voyager Golden Records. It reflects his signature design style: extravagant and chic.
Kevin Germanier is a representative of the young generation in the fashion world, influenced by his love for science fiction novels, comics, and video games. After winning first place in the Redress Design Award held in Hong Kong in 2015, he has been dedicated to sustainable fashion design and made his debut at Paris Fashion Week in 2022, showcasing stunning aesthetic works. He has also collaborated with numerous celebrities, including Björk, South Korean star Sunmi, and Red Velvet, among others.
As he describes his designs: dazzling, colorful, dramatic, and extraordinary. This work not only showcases rich French craftsmanship, allowing the dancer clad in this attire to fuse fashion with movement, but also incorporates recycled materials in accordance with the guidelines for the Paris Olympics, creating one of the most outstanding pieces for this “record” celebration.
《Voyager Golden Records》
(Chinese: 航海家金唱片)
Is the inspiration for the golden dress derived from the Pioneer Golden Record?
In fact, the Voyager Golden Record is a golden record that traverses the universe, serving as a time capsule. As the name suggests, much like an interstellar message in a bottle, it was launched aboard the two Voyager spacecraft in 1977 to convey messages to other space travelers, or perhaps to communicate with extraterrestrial beings.
This record contains sounds and 115 images carefully selected by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, including nature sounds such as surfing, wind, thunder, birdsong, whale calls, and animal noises, as well as music from different cultures and eras, and recordings of greetings in 55 languages (or dialects) used by Earth inhabitants. These recordings are played at a speed of 16⅔ revolutions per minute, intended to showcase the diversity of life and culture on Earth, prepared for any intelligent extraterrestrial beings that might discover them.
On the record, there is also a written message from President Carter and then-Secretary-General of the United Nations Kurt Waldheim: “We have tried to live in our time, and perhaps one day we will live in yours. We hope that someday, after resolving the challenges we face, we can unite to become a galactic civilization. This record represents our hopes, our determination, and our goodwill in this vast universe.”
This aligns perfectly with the concept of “recording,” serving also as a tribute. Kevin Germanier said: “Together with Thomas Jolly and Daphné Bürki, who are in charge of styling and costumes, we hope to use this record as a starting point to design an unprecedented silhouette, much like a science fiction story infused with the Olympic spirit.”
Further Reading:
- 【Interview with Hong Kong illustrator Lokz Phoenix】Don’t become a boring adult! After transitioning from fashion to art, she reflects on her creative journey
- 【2024 Paris Olympics】From the Louvre to Marie Antoinette’s guillotine, a point-by-point look at the Olympic opening ceremony by artistic director Thomas Jolly
- Boston Bag Craze! The New Dior Groove for Fall/Winter 2024, Jisoo’s Favorite Style
Greek Goddess of Victory, playing piano upside down
Later, watching the Victory of Samothrace and the piano playing ancient Greek melodies slowly rise from the ground, it was a performance paying tribute to Greece, the birthplace of the Olympics, and its local mythology.
110 dancers in white and stunt performers moved on stage, infused with French heroism and romanticism in both music and visuals. The performance of pianist Alain Roche, playing the piano while suspended upside down, alongside the heartfelt rendition of “The Hymn to Apollo” by French lyric tenor Benjamin Bernheim, brought elements of ancient Greek drama into modern opera, stunning the audience.
Then, with the joint efforts of the dancers in white and the stunt performers, the five rings were brought together again and hung in mid-air, seemingly narrating the story of the birth of the Olympic rings; the Olympic rings, crafted by the collective effort of all, also symbolize the unity of the five continents, reigniting the brilliance of the Olympics.
Afterwards, the French indie band Phoenix, the French rock band Air, DJ Kavinsky, and Belgian singer Angèle performed, creating a festive atmosphere. The biggest surprise was the appearance of Vampire Weekend’s lead singer Ezra Koenig, who joined the band for a duet of “Tonight.” The performance concluded with Phoenix’s song “1901.”
This segment combines music, dance, and acrobatics, not only reflecting on the history of the Olympics through classical and contemporary artistic expressions but also showcasing the vitality and innovation of the modern Olympic Games.
Tom Cruise really descends from the sky!
When American R&B singer H.E.R. started playing the iconic theme song from “Mission: Impossible,” Tom Cruise appeared on the rooftop of the 115-foot-high Stade de France wearing a vintage leather jacket from Ralph Lauren and matching motorcycle gloves, performing a high-difficulty stunt—descending onto the stage! This breathtaking entrance stunned fans worldwide and instantly ignited the atmosphere in the arena!
Then he took the Olympic flag and rode a motorcycle, weaving and speeding through the roads of France. The scene later switched to him and his motorcycle flying from France to Los Angeles, performing an extreme stunt—skydiving, leaping down to the famous landmark, the Hollywood Sign. It was not only a thrilling reenactment of “Mission: Impossible,” but also symbolized the transmission of the Olympics to the next 2028 Los Angeles games!
After bringing the flag from France to LA, he also transformed the Hollywood Sign into the 2028 LA Olympic torch, raising the excitement of the entire performance to a new high. The process was absolutely spectacular and makes everyone even more eager for the next Olympic Games.
2028 LA
Red Hot Chili Peppers, Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg perform in succession
When it comes to California, aside from the Hollywood Sign, one cannot overlook the beautiful sunshine and beaches. The performance upon returning to California will take place at the famous Venice Beach. Beach volleyball, as one of the sports, originated in California in the 1920s; it wasn’t until 1996 that beach volleyball was officially included as an Olympic event.
Kicking off the event was the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who ignited the atmosphere with a passionate performance of their classic hit “Can’t Stop.” This was followed by popular singer Billie Eilish, who showcased her American casual style in an outfit from @poloralphlauren, paired with embroidered badge khaki shorts, as she delivered a heartfelt rendition of “BIRDS OF A FEATHER,” showcasing the musical power of the new generation. The grand finale featured hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg, who has frequently appeared at this year’s Olympics, donning a white long Ralph Lauren blazer emblazoned with “USA,” accessorized with gold chains and sunglasses. He brought the Long Beach vibe with “Drop It Like It’s Hot” and invited Dr. Dre on stage for a performance of the classic track “The Next Episode,” showcasing the captivating charm of LA!
Their performance not only previewed the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics but also showcased the city’s musical traditions, spirit, and cultural diversity through music, allowing everyone to experience California’s unique summer vibe! At the end of the show, Snoop Dogg, Billie Eilish, and Dr. Dre took a historic photo together, leaving everyone eagerly anticipating the lineup for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics!
New Generation French Diva Yseult will be the grand finale performer
to perfectly conclude the closing ceremony
As the Paris Olympics comes to a close, French singer Yseult performs the beautiful classic “My Way.”
This song is a classic by the legendary American singer Frank Sinatra, included in the 1969 album of the same name. It is adapted from the 1967 song “Comme d’habitude” by French singer Claude François, and is forever etched in the hearts of American music fans.
However, Yseult, dressed in Dior’s classic black satin Bar Jacket, captivated the audience with her voice, complemented by the splendid fireworks, showcasing the charm of French music and serving as a representative of the cultural fusion and exchange between America and France, as a final tribute and farewell.
The closing ceremony quietly echoed the opening, expressing a consistent design language of fusion and rebirth. While it may not possess the grandeur and extreme brilliance of the opening, the elegance and delicacy of the closing ceremony still exude a romantic charm. The atmosphere was lively, blending artistic and entertaining elements, gently winding down the Olympic spirit that had spread throughout the city since the opening, bringing everything back to square one while leaving a hopeful note for the future, with the presented cultural fusion and interpretations resonating long after.
In these short two weeks, people from different races, countries, and political views are brought together, resembling a utopian festival celebration, where the heritage and peace they embody highlight the core ideals and hopes of the Olympics during this transmission. As Paris Mayor Hidalgo stated: “I believe that very positive things will happen, even some good news for humanity, because a connection will be formed among people, and they will say: it is not completely ruined, we can be together and feel joy together, we can enjoy the pleasure of meeting those who are completely different from us.”
The most touching aspect is not just the smoothness and success of the Olympics, but the blood, sweat, and effort that each athlete has put in, which made the 2024 Paris Olympics conclude so beautifully, deserving of respect and homage from everyone! May the world move towards a path of love and peace.
Source @olympics @Paris2024 @mathieulehanneur @thoma.jolly @arthurcadre @kevingermanier @tomcruise @la28games
