As the curtains fall on the Paris 2024 Olympics, the final day was a whirlwind of drama and celebration. Team GB concluded their campaign with a total of 65 medals, surpassing their previous tally from Tokyo and matching their haul from London 2012. Among the highlights, Emily Campbell and Emma Finucane each claimed bronze medals. Campbell, known for her striking red, white, and blue hair, earned her bronze in the women’s +81kg weightlifting category. With a personal best lift totaling 288kg, she added this medal to her silver from Tokyo. Finucane's bronze in the women's individual sprint capped off a remarkable debut Olympic performance, adding to her earlier gold in the team sprint and another bronze in the keirin.
Despite these successes, the day was tinged with disappointment for Jack Carlin. He suffered a crash in the final lap of the men’s keirin final, a heartbreaker after his impressive performances earlier in the Games. On the broader stage, the Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan shone brightly, securing her third medal of the Games with a gold in the women’s marathon. Hassan’s victory added to her bronze in the 10,000m and the 5,000m, showcasing her extraordinary versatility and endurance.
The final day was also marked by anticipation for the closing ceremony, which would officially bring Paris 2024 to a close. Athletes, including Team GB’s Alex Yee and Bryony Page, who achieved stunning performances in their respective events, prepared to take the stage one last time before the ceremonial handover to Los Angeles, the host city for the 2028 Games. The closing ceremony was set to feature performances from prominent California-based artists like Billie Eilish, H.E.R., and Snoop Dogg, promising a vibrant send-off to this edition of the Olympics.
In the final medal tally, the United States emerged victorious, edging past China with a gold in the final event of the Games. The Americans concluded with 40 gold medals, tied with China but leading on total medals won, 126 to 91. This marked another successful Olympics for the US, continuing their dominant streak in the Summer Games. Meanwhile, Australia achieved their best-ever medal haul, finishing fourth with 18 golds, while host nation France ended in fifth place, their best result since the 1900 Games. Great Britain, despite a challenging performance overall, finished seventh but ranked third when considering total medals, reflecting a strong showing despite falling short of their usual top-five position.
As Paris 2024 draws to a close, the ultimate celebration of athletic excellence and global unity takes center stage, setting the stage for the next chapter of Olympic history in Los Angeles.
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