All good things come to an end, and it was a beautiful one. Both Olympic champions - respectively in rugby sevens and mountain biking - Antoine Dupont and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot proudly waved the tricolor flag during the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games. “What an honor and what happiness! Thank you Paris 2024 for being such a party, it was crazy! I will never forget you,” commented the 27-year-old Toulouse resident on Instagram. “PFP” did the same: “I hate goodbyes so see you soon in my sweetest dreams, Paris 2024. Thank you to the French public.”
A time announced by our colleagues from L'Équipe and Franceinfo, Léon Marchand was finally assigned another role. The four-time gold medalist brought the flame to the Stade de France. The closing ceremony showcased the heroes and heroines of the Paris 2024 Olympics, allowing the public to admire the athletes in a more classic setting compared to the opening ceremony. Gathered behind their respective flag bearers, these champions took their last lap of honor in Saint-Denis, a location already familiar to participants in athletics and rugby events.
The goodbyes of the queens and kings of these Games - Léon Marchand, Simone Biles, Julien Alfred, Teddy Riner, Mijain Lopez, and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone - were highly anticipated. Photos capturing these emotional moments during the closing ceremony have been selected for their beauty. Although Léon Marchand did not appear at the Stade de France, he made a notable appearance at the Tuileries.
Despite a near mishap, Antoine Dupont stood proudly alongside Pauline Ferrand-Prévot. The only heptatlete triple Olympic champion, Nafissatou Thiam, served as the Belgian flag bearer, while Femke Bol, despite not winning an individual Olympic title, celebrated her achievements with a golden relay and a brandished flag. Imane Khelif may not have been a standard bearer, but she proudly showcased her gold medal.
