Paris 2024 Paralympics: photos of the best moments from the ...
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On the evening of Sunday 8 September, the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games were officially closed at a magnificent and sumptuous ceremony held in the Stade de France. Here's a look back at this magical evening.
After 11 days of competition, the Closing Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games kicked off with a rendition of the song Vivre pour le meilleur (Living for the Best) by the artist Santa. In spite of the rain, this meaningful song got the final ceremony of the Paris 2024 Games off to the best possible start in a packed Stade de France.
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The Stade de France in blue, white and red for La MarseillaiseLa Marseillaise, France's national anthem, was performed by trumpeter André Feydy. All the while, the Stade de France was coloured blue-white-red and the French flag was hoisted by officers from various branches of the French Army.
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Picture by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images
Aurélie Aubert and Tanguy De La Forest with the French flag
The flags of the participating nations and of the Paralympic refugee team entered the arena in French alphabetical order. Aurélie Aubert and Tanguy De La Forest represented France. They were welcomed by around sixty musicians from the Garde Républicaine Band. Forming a guard of honour, the musicians played a succession of variety songs, giving the parade a festive feel.
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The Carré des Supporters on fire during Tony Estanguet's speechTony Estanguet then entered the Stade de France to give his closing speech for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. During his speech, a Carré des Supporters took up position behind him, bursting into flames!
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Breaking in the spotlightThe closing ceremony was an opportunity to shine the spotlight on this modern dance form and its power of inclusion. In this sequence, eight dancers, half of them disabled, celebrated the diversity of breaking, solo or in a group, in the spirit of a ‘demo’ and a party, to the sound of Cut Killer's set celebrating 50 years of Hip Hop culture.
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The handover of the Paralympic flag at Los Angeles 2028The Paralympic anthem was played and the Paralympic flag lowered by officers of the French Army. The Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, then handed over the Paralympic flag to the President of the IPC, Andrew Parsons, who then passed it on to the Mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass. This handover sequence continued with the playing of the anthem of the United States of America, accompanied by the raising of the American flag.
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Extinguishing the Paralympic FlameIn the Jardin des Tuileries, gathered around the Vasque, Amadou & Mariam, accompanied by a string quartet, performed Je suis venu te dire que je m'en vais, a composition by Serge Gainsbourg inspired by the French poet Paul Verlaine. The Paralympic Flame then entered the Stade de France, held by Frédéric Villeroux. In a final relay, several athletes - Ugo Didier, Charles Noakes, Djelika Diallo, Mathieu Bosredon and Aurélie Aubert - passed on the lantern and the Flame was extinguished with a final breath.
At the same time, in the Jardin des Tuileries, the Vasque was also extinguished. The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games are over.
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Show by 24 French electro artists introduced by Jean-Michel JarrePicture by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images
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Picture by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images
Picture by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images
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Picture by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images
Picture by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images
Picture by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images
