Thomas Bach hails 'Seine-sational' Olympic Games as Arab athletes make their mark in Paris

Sunday's closing ceremony concludes a historically successful Olympics for Arab athletes

Actor Tom Cruise holds the flag during the Paris Olympics closing ceremony. Reuters

A fireworks display during the closing ceremony at Stade de France. Getty images

Cruise was part of the star-studded event. AFP

The actor left the stadium with the Olympic flag on a motorbike. AFP

Dancers perform during the event at Stade de France. Getty Images

American singer Her sang the USA's national anthem. Getty Images

French singer-songwriter Yseult was one of the performers of the night. AFP

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach, left, and World Athletics president Sebastian Coe presented the medals for the women's marathon. AFP

Athletes arrive for the closing ceremony. PA

French President Emmanuel Macron was also in attendance. EPA

French athletes pass one of their host down the line at the ceremony. Reuters

Women's marathon gold medallist, Sifan Hassan from Netherlands. AFP

Flagbearers parade at the ceremony. AP

Angolan canoeist Benilson Sanda at the ceremony. AFP

French athletes bid farewell to the rest of the world. Reuters

Nigerian athletes at the closing ceremony. AFP

Saudi athletes join in the festivities. EPA

India's flagbearers, shooter Manu Bhaker, right, and field hockey player Sreejesh Parattu Raveendran, at the closing ceremony. Reuters

China's contingent of athletes enters the arena. Reuters

Canada's athletes celebrate. AFP

A huge Stade de France crowd watches as the athletes parade. Reuters

French singer Zaho de Sagazan performs Under the Paris Sky at the ceremony. Getty Images

The athletes gather in the stadium for the closing ceremony. Reuters

The Japanese contingent waves to the crowds. AP

Team Algeria joins the celebrations. Getty Images

French swimmer Leon Marchand carries the Olympic flame. Getty Images

Athletes enter the stadium en masse, instead of being separated by countries for the closing ceremony. AFP

A performance by an orchestra at the event. Reuters

Sharon Van Rouwendaal from the Netherlands won a gold medal for the swimming marathon. AFP

Saudi athletes at the event. AFP

President Macron and his wife Brigitte were among the spectators of the ceremony. PA

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said the Paris Games marked a successful start to a "new era" as Sunday's closing ceremony concluded a historic Olympics.

After more than two weeks of competition, the Games came to an end in a star-studded showpiece at the Stade de France on Sunday night.

“The Olympic Games Paris 2024 were a celebration of the athletes and of sport at its best," Bach said. “The first Olympic Games delivered completely under our Olympic agenda reforms: younger, more urban, more inclusive, more sustainable. The first Olympic Games with full gender parity.

“These were sensational Olympic Games from start to finish – or dare I say: these were Seine-sational Olympic Games from start to finish. The Olympic Games Paris 2024 were Olympic Games of a new era.”

Bach also praised the athletes for their performances and for inspiring a “culture of peace” throughout the Games.

“Your performances were simply amazing. You competed fiercely against each other," he said. “Every contest on the edge of perfection. Every performance sparking excitement around the world. You showed us what greatness we humans are capable of.

“During all this time, you lived peacefully together under one roof in the Olympic Village. You embraced each other. You respected each other, even if your countries are divided by war and conflict. You created a culture of peace.

“This inspired all of us and billions of people around the globe. Thank you for making us dream. Thank you for making us believe in a better world for everyone.

“We know that the Olympic Games cannot create peace. But the Olympic Games can create a culture of peace that inspires the world. This is why I call on everyone who shares this Olympic spirit: let us live this culture of peace every single day.”

Sunday’s finale kicked off with an orchestral opening before flagbearers and athletes were welcomed into the stadium.

Following a display showcasing the origins of the Olympics, the baton was passed over to Los Angeles towards the end of the ceremony, which included Tom Cruise escorting the Olympic flag out of the stadium on a motorbike.

A video saw the flag reach LA and was subsequently followed by music on the beach by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Billie Eilish and Snoop Dogg.

Bach concluded his speech by thanking France for hosting the 2024 Games.

“Dear French friends, you have fallen in love with the Olympic Games. And we have fallen in love with all of you,” he said. “Thank you Paris, thank you France. Long live the Olympic Games. Long live France.”

The Paris Games also provided unprecedented success for Arab athletes, who collectively won seven gold medals, which is the highest tally for athletes representing the region at any Olympic Games.

Algeria was responsible for two golds, with both achieved in historic circumstances. Firstly, 17-year-old gymnast Kaylia Nemour became Africa’s first Olympic medallist in gymnastics in uneven bars, before boxer Imane Khelif blocked out the gender controversy noise to win the welterweight title.

Bahrain also claimed two golds as top-ranked 3,000m steeplechase star Winfred Yavi lived up to her billing to clinch the title, while wrestler Akhmed Tazhudinov won the 97kg division on the final day.

Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco also had athletes top the podium as Ahmed Elgendy set a modern pentathlon world record, Firas Katoussi claimed gold in the 80kg taekwondo event, and Soufiane El Bakkali won the men's 3,000m steeplechase respectively.

In all, Arab nations won 17 medals at the Paris Olympics.