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The Paralympics said goodbye for four more years on a wet night in Paris. The evening was kicked off by musician Santa, who perfectly represented this occasion as she is of French and American descent, symbolising the passing of the torch from Paris 2024 to Los Angeles 2028.
Emmanuel Macron hué au Stade de France. #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/vB1L0vwLGL
French president Emmanuel Macron was met with plenty of boos inside the Stade de France when he was introduced to the crowd at the start of the night.
Para swimmer Poppy Maskill and para taekwondo’s Matt Bush were chosen to be ParalympicsGB’s flag bearers for the closing ceremony. Broadway star Ali Stroker sung the American national anthem as Los Angeles took the torch from Paris.
It has been another tremendously successful Games for ParalympicsGB, who won 124 medals including 49 golds. The team finished second in the medal table, quite some way behind China, who won 94 golds and a total of 220 medals. Great Britain matched their overall medal total from Tokyo three years ago but won eight more golds in Paris.
“Techno in the teeming rain. It has been another wonderful Paralympic Games. Paris is right up there. Here’s the eight I’ve attended in ranking order:
LondonParisSydneyRioBeijingTokyoAthensAtlanta
“London was very, very special. Paris had the best Opening Ceremony. Bar none. But London set the standard. There are always issues. But these Games have shown, after lockdown, that the crowds will come and support humans at the forefront of their own physicality. Proud of the movement, and what it stands for. It is a barometer of our humanity. The sport has been off the charts. As it ends. My hope is that many of the GB team are elevated to where they belong.
“That Dame Sarah Storey gets a peerage, and continues her work in the House of Lords; that taekwondo gold medalists Matt Bush and Amy Truesdale cross over into mainstream fame; that Games’ debutant Poppy Maskill, who finished with a haul of three gold and two silver medals, is recognised; that Ellie Challis, a quadruple amputee who had meningitis, becomes a powerful advocate for her generation; that Alfie Hewett’s match with Tokito Oda, at Roland Garros, is truly celebrated. I could go on… And here’s hoping that the USA, and LA, truly deliver. There is not the greatest record of Paralympic support for US athletes. Now it will change, you suspect. It must.”
Time to let their hair down as a huge conga line has formed amongst the athletes. The noise is fairly deafening!
Now it’s your turn @LA28 🎆We trust that you will make great Games and make us dream in four years! 🇺🇸 🎨 #Paris2024 / @muvergraphics pic.twitter.com/cPq5VmHJVe
With a lot of the formalities now out of the way, it is time to have some fun inside the Stade de France, still in the pouring rain! Jean-Michel Jarre, the father of electronic music in France, is at the heart of it now with 23 other artists. It is more like a nightclub inside the Stade de France now than a sports stadium.
“Spoke to Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, the French politician and former professional tennis player who has been Minister of Sports and Olympic and Paralympic Games, a little while ago. Amélie told me that “Paris 2024 was inspired by what you did in London,” which is powerful for GB’s legacy given that the politician has served under two prime ministers here. Powerful, too, that GB’s Games had resonance and legacy.
“We discussed the transport issues facing them at Paris 2024, and in my view, that was going to be their biggest issue. In every other way, I think Paris 2024 equalled London. Transport… no. We had a village with several sports bordering it in East London. Paris has the great Haussmann, and his renovation of Paris in the 1850s, to blame. A blessing, for parisian beauty, a curse for running a Games with 20-plus venues…
“Also, I couldn’t help asking the Minister if we would be getting Vanessa Paradis – Joe Le Taxi – tonight. “No, it’s all techno…” she replied. Shame.”
Six French Paralympians are there to blow out the flame inside the Stade de France. Aurélie Aubert, Paralympic champion in Boccia, has the honour of doing so. The impressive cauldron is also extinguished. I can still remember how sad a moment that was back in London 2012, as that really felt like the moment where it had properly come to an end.
Paris’ job is done, and what a summer it’s been 🇫🇷#C4Paralympics | #ParalympicGames | #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/g5lvT9hUB1
Here is a stat for you. Across both the Olympics and Paralympics, France did not win a single gold in the athletics inside the Stade de France.
We are back over to France and we are soon to say goodbye to the incredible flame.
I think Los Angeles 2028 is going to be a whole lot of fun, across both the Olympics and Paralympics.
As we saw at the closing ceremony of the Olympics just a few weeks ago, we switch over to LA in the sunshine, obviously!
California Dreamin’ by the Mammas and the Papas signals Los Angeles’ first chance to show what 2028 is going to be all about. Cue VT!
The Stade de France rises for the national anthem of the USA, performed by Broadway star Ali Stroker.
Always a sad moment for the hosts as the paralympic flag, which has just been brought down, is handed from France to the USA. The Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, and the Mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, join Andrew Parsons and Tony Estanguet on stage. The Mayor of Paris hands over the Paralympic flag to the IPC President, who passes it on to the Mayor of Los Angeles.
On a side note it is absolutely bucketing it down in Paris, with umbrellas and ponchos very much necessary inside the Stade de France.
“Hymne de l’Avenir”, which translates to “Anthem of the Future”. It was composed by Thierry Darnis and adopted in 1996. The lyrics were written by Australian singer Graeme Connors in 2001.
“It’s a glowing, emotional and wet end to the 17th summer Paralympic Games. Andrew Parsons, the IPC president, who I spoke with earlier today, has very strong views on how the Paralympic Movement must be run. “Not on my watch,” replied the Brazilian president of the global movement for citizens with disabilities, to any suggestion that the Olympics and Paralympics might become one. “It would dilute what we have.” “In art, culture, even politics, the Games are the most powerful thing we have anywhere in the world to bring change for people with disabilities.”
“I’ve been around to see both Sir Philip Craven and Robert Steadward in seven previous Games as president, and Parsons is always on point. Aided by his press chief Craig Spence, a Brit, who used to work in rugby league.”
Time to listen to music and watch performances on the stage, including some breaking.
The crowd are introduced to the six members of the IPC Athletes’ Council, who were elected by their fellow athletes in a vote that took place during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Lenine Cunha (Portugal, para athletics)
Martina Caironi (Italy, para athletics)
Vladyslava Kravchenko (Malta, para swimming)
Yoomin Won (Korea, wheelchair basketball)
Yujiao Tan (China, para powerlifting)
Denise Schindler (Germany, para cycling)
Parsons was full of praise for France throughout his speech and finishes with a bit of French.
Andrew Parsons says that Paris has sent the benchmark for all future Games. He thanks Estanguet and the Paris committee for a sensational Games. He talks about inspiration and calls for changes in attitudes and views going forward. “Obstacles must become opportunities”. “Change starts with sport”.
Estanguet closes out his speech by thanking the people of Paris, the volunteers, who he calls on the crowd to give a huge round of applause to. He says he is immensely honoured to have taken on this role he has had at Paris 2024.
He hands over now to Andrew Parsons.
Estanguet praises how inclusive these Games have been but it is tinged with a little sadness as Paris says farewell after a busy summer which included both the Olympics and Paralympics, all in the space of a matter of weeks. Understandably he shifts the praise onto the people of Paris.
The moment he mentions Leon Marchand, who was France’s star during the Olympics, the noise level rises inside the Stade de France. Estanguet emphasises the importance of the legacy of this summer, which we know all too well from London 2012.
Time for some speeches. Firstly it is Tony Estanguet, President of the Paris 2024 Organising Committee. Then we will hear from the President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), Andrew Parsons.
Estanguet, speaking in French, calls on the crowd to give the loudest, longest applause to the athletes who have competed at these Paralympics. The entirety of the Stade de France certainly responds to his calls. He then turns his hand to some English, which makes things a little easier for viewers on this side of the Channel!
We have had some great songs played by the house band already and now we are treated to Gloria Gaynor’s smash hit ‘I Will Survive’, which has certainly got the crowd going.
The flag bearers are making their way around the Stade de France, with Paralympics GB represented by para swimmer Poppy Maskill and para taekwondo’s Matt Bush. Chariots of Fire is being played by the band as the flags are carried around.
The @ParalympicsGB flag bearers, Matt Bush and Poppy Maskill 👋#C4Paralympics | #ParalympicsGB | #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/Oy4pkvv0fz
Ahead of the French national anthem, there are plenty of audible boos for French president Emmanuel Macron as he is introduced to the Stade de France alongside the President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), Andrew Parsons.
Emmanuel Macron hué au Stade de France. #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/vB1L0vwLGL
Santa, whose real name is Samanta Cotta, kicks off the night with a rather passionate performance. She in many ways represents tonight as she is of both French and American descent, symbolising the handing over from Paris 2024 to Los Angeles 2028.
The closing ceremony is getting started in the rain in Paris.
Hannah Cockroft has added two golds at these Games to make it nine golds at the Paralympics.
Tonight is not only about saying goodbye to Paris 2024, but also starting the long build-up to Los Angeles 2028. What will the USA have in store tonight?
Liam McGarry sums up what the Paralympic Games is all about, after the final event of Paris 2024 🥹#C4Paralympics | #ParalympicGames | #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/tK182IyWrw
Back at Tokyo 2020, Great Britain won 41 gold medals whereas this time around in Paris the team has won 49. Not only was the Tokyo Paralympics during Covid times, but with these Games being just over the English Channel in Paris the ParalympicsGB athletes have had huge support from family and friends.
Some rain around in Paris tonight so ponchos at the ready!
“A Paralympic marathon runner was left ‘devastated’ after being disqualified and denied a bronze medal for an error just metres from the finish line.
“Elena Congost let go of her rope momentarily after her guide, Mia Carol, cramped up late in the race on Sunday, the final day of the Paris Games.
“The Spaniard was left in tears after officials had ruled she broke the regulations, with the bronze medal being awarded to Japan’s Misato Michishita. Runners in the T12 event for athletes with visual impairments must be tethered to their guide for the duration of the race.”
Gareth A Davies has the full story from Paris.
“It was fitting that Sarah Storey produced one of her most thrilling finishes to claim a 19th Paralympic gold medal by overcoming 19-year-old Frenchwoman Heïdi Gaugain in the road race.
“Does the great Dame of cycling now rank as one of GB’s greatest athletes in any sport after nine Games appearances? Indeed, should Storey also be a shoo-in for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year?
“There is certainly an argument to be made for both. Storey, 46, ought to be recognised as a national treasure.
For more from Gareth A Davies, click here.
What a team. ✊Did you know: Making the 🟰 sign with your arms means you support #EqualPlay for all disabled kids in the UK?#ParalympicsGB 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/WKohc85K7C
Good evening and welcome to coverage of the 2024 Paris Paralympics closing ceremony. The final gold medal has been handed out and it is time for Paris to say goodbye for a second time this summer, this time to the Paralympics.
It has been another tremendously successful Games for ParalympicsGB, which saw the team win 124 medals including 49 golds. Therefore the team finished second in the medal table, quite some way though behind China, who won 94 golds and a total of 220 medals. 49 golds is Great Britain’s second best haul of golds since 1996, with the 64 in Rio in 2016 eclipsing it.
Para swimmer Poppy Maskill, who won three golds and two silvers on debut, and para taekwondo’s Matt Bush, who won a gold, have been chosen to be ParalympicsGB’s flag bearers for tonight’s closing ceremony.
Tonight’s closing ceremony will be the last for six-time Paralympic champion David Weir, who has retired from Great Britain competition. He finished fifth in the men’s T54 marathon earlier today. He will though continue to compete in the major international marathons.
“I’m quite emotional as I know it’s my last race for GB, this will be my last international,” Weir said.
“I’ll still do the major marathons as I really enjoy them and I’ve got Berlin in two weeks. I knew before I came to Paris and I’ve been thinking about it all week. It’s the decision I want to make. It’s the right decision.”
“My body just couldn’t cope with it today to be honest. I was the oldest in that field today but still highly competitive. Daniel [Romanchuk, who finished fourth] is 20 years younger than me – I could be his dad – so I’m doing alright. I gave it my all today and that’s all I can give.
“I’ll look back on my GB career with pride. I don’t really pat myself on the back. I should really. I should be proud of what I’ve done. I’ve had a great career. I’m trying not to get emotional but it’s time. I think it’s time.”
As Paris says goodbye to the Paralympics, the build-up to Los Angeles 2028 can begin. If the Olympic closing ceremony is anything to go by, LA will be putting on a show for tonight to showcase what it will be all about in four years.