Paris bids 'adieu' to 2024 Olympics with giant parade and street party

RFI

14 September 2024 at 3:47 am·2-min read

Olympic fever returns to the French capital this Saturday, with an after-party on the Champs-Elysées featuring a parade of athletes and a giant open-air concert to bid a final farewell to the 2024 Games.

Some 70,000 spectators are expected to turn out for a parade of Olympic and Paralympic athletes who will march down the iconic Champs-Elysées this Saturday, followed by a free open-air concert on the Place de l'Etoile – home to the equally iconic Arc de Triomphe.

The idea of hosting a final parade was announced by President Emmanuel Macron during the Olympics, and takes place less than a week after the end of the Paralympic Games and a successful summer of sport and festivities overall.

The "Champions Parade" concept caught on like wildfire, as the 70,000 free tickets made available were snapped up within an hour on Wednesday.

In addition to the athletes, those who took part in the preparation and staging of the Games – including volunteers and staff from the prefecture and Paris city hall – there will be between 8,000 to 10,000 people marching down the legendary Parisian avenue.

"We're delighted to be able to offer another great moment to celebrate the France team's athletes at a strategic location," chief organiser Tony Estanguet told reporters on Friday. "We are going to really try to finish this adventure in the most beautiful way."

Around 4,000 police are expected on duty, with the security services facing one final test after winning almost unanimous praise for the way they kept the Games and their 12 million spectators safe.

Macron is set to decorate many of France's medal winners with the country's top award, the Legion d'Honneur.

A 'best of' spectacular

Australian Associated Press
Socceroos coach change can unnerve players: Goodwin
Winger Craig Goodwin says a change in Socceroos coach can unnerve players ahead of new manager Tony Popovic's first game in charge.
Australian Associated Press
Child dead, woman babysitter missing after house fire
An eight-year-old girl has died and police hold grave concerns for her babysitter who is missing after a blaze took hold of a Queensland home.
Australian Associated Press
Pies, Blues sharpen focus on trade for Port's Houston
The AFL trade period promises to be one of the busiest on record, with star pair Dan Houston and Bailey Smith among players intent on moving to new clubs.
Australian Associated Press
Taiwan's Yu claims maiden PGA Tour title in playoff
Taiwan's Kevin Yu is a PGA Tour winner for the first time after triumphing in a playoff in Mississippi.
Australian Associated Press
Israel attack mourned a year on, grief 'no competition'
Jewish communities are mourning those who died in the Hamas terror attack as pro-Palestinian vigils draw controversy for remembering those killed in Gaza.
Australian Associated Press
I'd rather retire than sulk about missing GF: Eisenhuth
Matt Eisenhuth insists he's no hard-luck story after being cut from Penrith's 17 the day before the grand-final win over Melbourne.
Australian Associated Press
Munster cleared over grand-final biting claim
Cameron Munster has avoided any match review committee charge over a claim he bit Paul Alamoti during the NRL grand final, something he denied.
Australian Associated Press
PSG held to a 1-1 draw at Nice despite Dembele return
Monaco remain clear atop the French league after defending champions Paris Saint-Germain could only draw 1-1 with Nice.
Australian Associated Press
Manawanui disaster prompts NZ probe, clean-up
The New Zealand defence minister says the environmental clean-up is her top priority after the sinking of the HMS Manawanui.
Australian Associated Press
Lewandowski hat-trick fires Barca three points clear
Polish superstar Robert Lewandowski has scored a hat-trick in leaders Barcelona's 3-0 win over Alaves that puts them three points clear of Real Madrid.
Australian Associated Press
De Gea shines as Fiorentina beat AC Milan in Serie A
Juventus conceded their first goal of the Serie A season in a 1-1 draw with Cagliari as they sit three points behind ledaers Napoli.
Australian Associated Press
Former child prodigy Vilips seals rapid PGA Tour rise
Karl Vilips was a golfing prodigy as a kid, now he's earned himself a US PGA Tour card at age 23.
Australian Associated Press
Aussies set for NZ to play 'out of their skin' in T20
Australia have built up a long unbeaten sequence in T20s against New Zealand's women but are very wary of an in-form Sophie Devine and her White Ferns.
Australian Associated Press
Bayern stutter in 3-3 Bundesliga draw with Frankfurt
They are still top of the Bundesliga table but Bayern Munich have stuttered again in a 3-3 draw with Frankfurt.
Australian Associated Press
'As bad as it gets': Ange slams Spurs after collapse
Ange Postecoglou cut a dejected figure after watching his Spurs side switch from 45 brilliant minutes to 45 minutes of dross in the shocking loss at Brighton.
Australian Associated Press
WIndies women ease to win over Scotland in World T20
Scotland have slumped to a second successive defeat at the Women's T20 World Cup as the West Indies coasted to a six-wicket win in Dubai.
Australian Associated Press
Ten Hag's United future clouded, Ange woe as Spurs fold
Manchester United's winless run is now five games after a 0-0 draw at Aston Villa, while Ange Postecoglou watched his Spurs side lose from 2-0 up at Brighton.
Australian Associated Press
Tyrrell Hatton lifts third Links title at St Andrews
English Ryder Cupper Tyrrell Hatton has overcome a late stutter to win the Dunhill Links Championship for a record third time on St Andrews' Old Course.
Australian Associated Press
Pandya blitz for India secures T20 win over Bangladesh
Hardik Pandya hammered an unbeaten 39 off 16 balls to lead India to a seven-wicket win over Bangladesh in their first T20 international in New Delhi.
Australian Associated Press
Mary Fowler on target in Man City's Super League win
Matildas' Mary Fowler has netted in Man City's WSL win over Katrina Gorry-led West Ham, while Caitlin Foord came close to a fine winner in an Arsenal stalemate.

A 'best of' spectacular

Latest stories