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All About The Closing Ceremony of the Paris Olympics 2024
Jimmy Fallon, Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski are joining NBC's coverage of the Paris Olympics' final spectacle.
After two weeks of competition, the 2024 Paris Olympics Closing Ceremony is finally here!
As one of the biggest events of the year, the Summer Games are meticulously planned and outlined well before the athletes even settle in to the Olympic Village. From hosts to commentators to venues, the organizers are on top of all the arrangements necessary to close out the Games in fitting fashion.
Now, as two weeks of competition draw to a close, here's everything you need to know:
What is the Closing Ceremony?
In short, the Closing Ceremony is held to celebrate weeks of hard work and triumph throughout the Olympics. For the athletes, it's one last chance to experience the roar of a packed stadium and for the attendees, it's an awesome chance to take part in the fun.
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Where can I watch the Closing Ceremony?
The 2024 Paris Olympics Closing Ceremony can be watched on NBC and streamed on Peacock and NBC Olympics platforms on Sunday, August 11.
What time is the Closing Ceremony?
Live coverage of the official Closing Ceremony began at 3 p.m. ET, with an enhanced encore airing at 7 p.m. ET/PT on NBC channels and platforms.
Katie Ledecky and Nick Mead Named Flag Bearers
Swimmer Katie Ledecky and rower Nick Mead are among an elite group of athletes selected to represent their country as flag bearers in the Closing Ceremony. They were nominated by their teammates and the Team USA Athletes' Commission.
“Honored to lead Team USA. at the Closing Ceremony with Nick! Proud of my teammates here in Paris, and excited to celebrate with all of them on Sunday,” Ledecky posted on social media with an American flag emoji.
Mead said he was similarly honored by the athletes' nomination.
“My experience at the Paris Games has been the dream of a lifetime, and I’m filled with immense pride, gratitude, and joy,” Mead told US Rowing. “I also wish to thank the city of Paris and the entire country of France for hosting an incredible Games. I’ll cherish these memories forever.”
Who is performing at the Closing Ceremony?
The French band Phoenix also took the stage to perform their hit songs, including "Lizstomania." They were joined by an array of other artists, including Angèle, Vampire Weekend's Ezra Koenig, Air, and Vannda.
Additionally, it's reported that there will be a mix of live and pre-taped performances by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Billie Eilish, and the Olympic correspondent Snoop Dogg, according to Variety, citing multiple sources. These musical guests will take the stage following the hand-off of the Olympic flag between French organizers and the team behind the upcoming L.A. Games, taking place in 2028.
A Potential Appearance by Tom Cruise
It's also been rumored that Mission Impossible star Tom Cruise, one of the many celebrities spotted at the Paris Games, will be taking part in the ceremony. He will reportedly use his stunt skills to help in the handoff of the Olympic flag between Paris and Los Angeles organizers, according to TMZ. The speculation is supported by reports of Cruise filming with a flag in Paris earlier, Variety reported citing French blogs.
Jimmy Fallon and Mike Tirico are hosting the Closing Ceremony
The Tonight Show's very own Jimmy Fallon is expected to fly across the Atlantic to join in on all the fun this summer. And while this is the talk show host's very first time taking part in an Olympics broadcast, he'll be joined by seasoned sports reporter Mike Tirico, who has emceed four Olympics already
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During the March 13 broadcast of his show, Fallon confirmed, “It’s real. It’s happening. I’m headed to Paris. I’m going to co-host the Olympics Closing Ceremony this summer!”
Terry Gannon, Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski announced as commentators for Closing Ceremony
Joining the team are NBC Sports' Terry Gannon and former Olympians Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski. The trio are all experienced commentators in their own right, with Lipinski and Weir having previously served as Closing Ceremony hosts for the PyeongChang, Tokyo, and Beijing Games. Additionally, Gannon has been a gymnastics commentator, a role he will once again take on this Summer.
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Weir cannot be more excited to join in on all the action this Summer and has a special look in mind already. "Now, I am just hunting down enough weave to build my Marie Antoinette hairstyle!" he joked in a statement to People.
Lipinski, who welcomed her first child in 2023, is just as happy to join in on what is sure to be a good time. "I am so excited to work another Closing Ceremony with Johnny and Terry, and interacting with Jimmy and Mike will make it even more of a party," she said to People.
What happens at the Olympic Closing Ceremony?
Closing Ceremonies often include extravagant performances by celebrities from the host country. Though we don't know the names of the performers just yet, the Olympics are steeped in decades of tradition, so we have some idea of what will take place at the the Closing Ceremony. Below is a basic rundown of the Closing Ceremony protocol.
Flag Entry
For starters, the Closing Ceremony begins with the Parade of Flags, in which athletes from each nation walk with their flag into the stadium. Traditionally, the Greek flag leads the procession and the host country brings up the rear, according to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Parade of Athletes
In the Parade of Nations, the athletes follow behind their nation's flag. However, the parade has evolved in recent years and now features the athletes walking en masse to commemorate their summer together. This first happened during the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, when 17-year-old John Ian Wing, an Australian of Chinese descent, suggested that all athletes walk together in a show of unity, according to Olympics.com.
The Final Medal Ceremony
Then, the final medal ceremony is hosted. For this year's games, the medal ceremony highlighted the winners of the women's Marathon.
Immediately after, some of the newly-elected members of the International Olympic Committee will present flowers to volunteers who participated in the organization of the Games.
There is also a moment of remembrance between the medal ceremony and the next portion of the Closing Ceremony.
The Antwerp Ceremony
One element of the Closing Ceremony protocol became tradition after the Antwerp Games. This tradition consists of the raising of two flags: Greece's, in recognition of the Games' origins, and the flag of the next nation to host the Summer or Winter Olympics. As each flag is being raised, one at a time, the respective nation's anthem is played.
Then, the Olympic flag raised during the Opening Ceremony is lowered as the Olympic Hymn plays. In a symbolic move, the mayor the current host city passes the flag to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) president, who then passes it to the mayor of the next city. So, for the Paris Closing Ceremony, this means Mayor Anne Hidalgo will pass the flag to IOC President Thomas Bach, who will present it to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who will return to her home city and raise the Olympic flag — though this might be when Tom Cruise steps in.
The Next Host City Offers a Preview
It's at this point that the L.A. Olympic Committee will have the opportunity to give viewers a sneak peek of what's to come when the Games head to the West Coast. For example, during the London Closing Ceremony, the organizers for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games had everyone on their feet with a Carnival-esque celebration.
"This segment is an invitation to the youth of the world to congregate in the host of the next edition of the Games," the IOC writes.
For the Los Angeles Games, organizers have called in Angelenos Billie Eilish and Snoop Dogg, as well as the band Red Hot Chili Peppers.
The President of the Organizing Committees for the Olympic Games then gives a speech, followed by the IOC President. Finally, the Olympic Flame is extinguished, marking the close of the Summer Games.
Originally published Apr 10, 2024.
