Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Closing Ceremony: Preview, how to watch, plus highlights of the final day of competition
Despite literally nobody wanting Paris 2024 to come to an end, the Closing Ceremony of the Paralympic Games brings the curtain down on proceedings in France's capital on Sunday 8 September.
The first-ever Paralympic Games to be hosted in France's capital has been a triumph with iconic moments throughout. British archer Jodie Grinham became the first athlete ever to win a Paralympic medal while pregnant; taekwondo practitioner Zakia Khudadadi won a first-ever Paralympic medal for the Refugee Paralympic Team; while American Matt Stutzman, also fondly known as the “armless archer”, won gold 12 years after earning his sole Paralympic medal (silver) at London 2012.
And now it's time not only to celebrate the athletes but also to pass the Paralympic baton on to the next hosts, LA 2028.
The Stade de France will fittingly provide the stage for the farewell to its guests of 12 days, its iconic lavender-hued platform having provided the canvas to many an athlete's endeavours.
Now it plays host to a giant party with 24 artists from the French electronic music scene invited to celebrate the 4,400 athletes from 168 Paralympic delegations.
Taking place from 20:30 local time, the grand finale also features all the expected protocols, including speeches and anthems, thanks to the volunteers, and the transfer of the Paralympic flag to their US counterparts.
There may be one man who will be pleased to see the end of Paris 2024, however. That is artistic director, Thomas Jolly, the busiest man in entertainment these past few months, who has overseen all Opening and Closing Ceremonies at both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The French actor and theatre company founder will no doubt put his own unique touch on proceedings, as he has done so far, and when the last firework fizzles out, he'll certainly have earned one of the most-talked-about food items of the Games, the hallowed molten chocolate muffin, made in the bakery in the Olympic and Paralympic Village.
If there's any left after the athletes depart that is.
Who will perform at the Closing Ceremony?
While most of the Closing Ceremony is a closely guarded secret, LA28 recently announced who will feature once the baton is passed to them.
Los Angeles will host the next Summer Paralympic Games in 2028 and Tony Award-winning actress and Broadway star Ali Stroker will have the honour of singing the US national anthem during the Handover Ceremony on Sunday.
The audience will then be treated to a musical performance from Jazz pianist Matthew Whitaker, violinist and singer-songwriter Gaelynn Lea, rapper, songwriter and athlete Garnett Silver-Hall, and performing artist Anderson .Paak, all set against the iconic Venice Beach coastline in LA.
Read more: Meet the stars taking part in the LA28 Paralympic handover celebration.
Quick facts about the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Closing Ceremony
- 4,400 athletes invited
- 168 delegations invited
- 70,000 spectators
- More than 300 million viewers
- Hosted at Stade de France
- 24 artists from the French electronic music scene
8 September: Preview and athletes to watch
The final day of competition features Para athletics, Para powerlifting, Para canoe and wheelchair basketball.
The women's wheelchair basketball competition wraps up with the medal matches. The bronze will be decided at 09:30 with the Paralympic champions' showdown beginning at 12:45.
As per tradition, the marathon races take place on the final day with Paralympic legend Marcel Hug taking part in the men's T54 edition, starting 07:00, and is going for a three-peat of titles in this discipline.
Para powerlifting takes centre stage as the final sport of Paris 2024 featuring the women's over 86kg final and the men's over 107kg edition.
And after the last weight hits the floor in a puff of chalk dust, the sporting aspect of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games is over, and the build-up to party time that evening begins.
How to watch the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games
You can follow the action via the Paralympic YouTube Channel and the International Paralympic Committee website (geo-blocking policies may apply).
For a full list of global broadcasters visit here.