I have a confession, this is the first year I have been fully devoted to the Olympics , but you don't have to be an expert to know it felt like something was missing during the Closing Ceremony .
I excitedly tuned in to watch on Sunday, Aug. 11 to see how such a fun month would come to a close. Instead, I was left feeling bored, confused, and not as inspired or emotional as I expected to be. The ceremony was hosted at the Stade de France and the show titled Records was directed by Thomas Jolly , who also oversaw the highly-criticized Opening Ceremony on the Seine in July. More than 70,000 spectators were expected to be inside the stadium, while millions of fans tuned in worldwide. Yet, there were too few cultural celebrations or acknowledgments of the champions from around the world who proudly represented their respective nations.
The winners of this year's games deserved a much bigger spotlight than what they received, and the athletes walking in felt disorganized and not at all commemorated the hard work and resilience they displayed over the last few weeks. I was happy to see countries like the United States and France receive so much screen time, but the Olympians from other countries like my native Ecuador were nowhere to be seen. There was also a confusing and completely disorganized and awkward " karaoke segment " for the athletes, which was simply songs being played in the stadium as they sang along as if they were at a concert.
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The ceremony did have some cultural significance to both France as well as odes to the game's history. At the Closing Ceremony, a Golden Voyager, who represents the Spirit of the Bastille, flew down from the top of the stadium for a tribute to the modern-day Olympics, while also paying homage to its origins, Greece, by featuring Greek gods Nike and Apollo. But the dark images, eerie music, and heavy smoke on the stage took away from the inspiring and uplifting feeling that fans felt over the past 16 days while watching hundreds of Olympic games.
Instead, it felt mysterious and terrifying, so much so that there was a moment when I muted my television because there was a haunting voiceover along with spin-chilling music that felt way too heavy and dark for a Sunday afternoon. Not only that, but it took way too long to execute, and was simply a bore after a while.
Some fans said the moment when the figures and dancers worked together to put the Olympic rings back together felt " dystopian " and even "satanic," similar to the criticism the opening ceremony received. That is the opposite of what fans expect to feel as we close off such a large and motivating global sporting event. Seeing athletes who are the best at what I do is uplifting and makes viewers feel proud and elated at seeing them display such athletic prowess, and take home medals to their respective countries. The athletes and viewers deserve to have a feel-good ceremony, that encompasses what these games represent.
To close out the ceremony, singer Yseult did an interpretation of Frank Sinatra’s song, My Way, which is based on the French song Comme d’habitude. While the track is a classic and has an air of defiance and accomplishment, it is also not as upbeat as the last song should have been.
The only redeemable quality and saving grace of the ceremony was Tom Cruise , as he ushered in the next Olympic games that will take place in Los Angeles in 2028. The actor jumped from the top of the stadium and carried the flag from Paris to the Hollywood sign in California. Sure, the montage could be deemed cheesy but it was his commitment to spectacle and putting on a show that made me jump out of my seat. Say what you will, but the United States is home to not only the best athletes in the world but also the best entertainers—and Tom is proof of that.
The stunt was part of the handover ceremony and it kicked off with the U.S. national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner," performed by Californian artist H.E.R. Once in LA, the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre took the stage injecting the show with a bit more excitement for what's to come.
Next time around, LA is bound to put on a show of epic proportions, honoring the many great talents that have come out of California. I am already predicting that the opening and closing ceremonies will be memorable, exciting, and everything the athletes and the Olympic fans deserve.
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