Paris bid farewell to an Olympics that infused new life into the Olympic spirit. The games brought scintillating sports to the French capital, rekindling the nation's pride and passion. "We wanted to dream, and we got Leon Marchand," said Paris 2024 chief Tony Estanguet, celebrating the French swimmer who took home four gold medals. The games united the country, with the whole of France becoming Olympic.

2. A Message of Peace Amid Global Turmoil

Despite the backdrop of global conflicts, the games fostered a culture of peace. IOC President Thomas Bach praised the athletes, emphasizing the unifying power of the Olympics. "You showed us what greatness human beings are capable of," Bach said, urging everyone to live this Olympic spirit daily.

3. From Paris to Los Angeles - The Olympic Flag Passes On

As the Paris games wrapped up, the Olympic flag was officially handed over to Los Angeles, the host of the 2028 Olympics. LA Mayor Karen Bass passed the flag to US gymnast Simone Biles, with Hollywood star Tom Cruise making a dramatic entrance. Cruise's stunt, which included leaping from the Stade de France roof, symbolized the handover in true Hollywood style.

4. A Celebration of Humanity

The closing ceremony celebrated humanity and the unifying power of sport, featuring performances from California natives like Billie Eilish and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. French swimmer Leon Marchand collected the Olympic flame, which was extinguished to mark the end of the games.

5. Sporting Highlights and Controversies

The French celebrated Leon Marchand as the new golden boy of the pool, while Simone Biles made a triumphant Olympic return, adding three gold medals to her collection. The event also saw the second appearances of sports like climbing and surfing, with "breaking" making its debut. However, gender eligibility controversies in women's boxing revealed tensions within the IOC.

In the medal tally, the US team topped with 126 medals, including 40 golds, followed by China and Japan, both delivering strong performances.

As the flame was extinguished, the Paris Olympics 2024 ended on a note of celebration, peace, and unity, setting the stage for Los Angeles 2028.