Electro-Festive Farewell: Paris 2024 Paralympics Conclude Amidst Cheers and Rain

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games ended in a festive mood despite rain, featuring performances by 24 French DJs including Jean-Michel Jarre. The Paralympic flag was handed to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. The night included a call for a record-breaking ovation for para-athletes, despite occasional rain-related setbacks.

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games concluded in the same rainy conditions they began, yet it didn't dampen the festive atmosphere at Stade de France on Sunday night. An electro-party featuring 24 French DJs, including electronic music legend Jean-Michel Jarre and Cassius, marked the final act of the event.

The night was filled with music, with 169 delegations parading to the tunes of French classics that had spectators singing along. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo passed the Paralympic flag to International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons, who then handed it over to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, making her the first Black woman to receive the flag during the closing ceremony. The American national anthem was performed by Ali Stroker.

Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet praised the accomplishments of the Games and called for an unprecedented ovation for the athletes. "We beat a lot of records so tonight let's beat another one. I'm asking you to give the para athletes the longest, loudest, craziest ovation they ever received," he said, met with deafening cheers from the 64,000 spectators. Despite the celebratory mood, a brief moment of sadness occurred when the Olympic cauldron could not be lifted into the sky due to rain, before the flame was ceremoniously extinguished.

(With inputs from agencies.)