SOPHIE L.
The Closing Ceremony at Stade de France during Paris 2024 was unforgettable for me. With 80,000 people there, the energy felt almost otherworldly. The stadium became a futuristic performance space, and when the "Golden Voyager" came down from the roof and lights swept over the crowd, the mood changed from competition to a huge celebration shared by people from all over the world. I was struck by how well the venue shifted from an athletics track to a high-tech show. The music sounded surprisingly clear in such a large arena, and even from the upper tiers I had a great view of the light display and the emotional handover to LA28. Seeing Tom Cruise’s stunt in person was wild. Afterward, leaving was smoother than I expected for such a major event, thanks to the organized transport links. The walk to the RER station was packed with chanting fans, though. If you get the chance to see a big event here, take it. Stade de France felt like a symbol of unity at the end of the Games, and a spectacular finish to an unforgettable Paris summer.

