On August 11, the Closing Ceremony of the Olympic Games will conclude 17 historic days of sporting feats and festivities in France. To celebrate these final moments of the Games, Thomas Jolly has created and directed Records, a unique and exceptional show on a 2,800 m2 stage at the Stade de France.
After the immense feat of directing the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games, the biggest-ever open-air spectacle in the heart of Paris, Thomas Jolly will take over the Stade de France to bring the Olympic Games to a fitting close.
“On 11 August 2024, a new page will be turned with the Closing Ceremony of the Olympic Games: it will be time to say goodbye to all the Olympic athletes and delegations who have thrilled us, made us dream and brought us to tears during 17 days of amazingly intense competition. At the Stade de France, where the greatest stars of athletics and rugby sevens will have competed, the moment will be solemn and emotional, but it will also be a time for celebration! Finally, the pressure will be off, and everyone will be able to take full advantage of the absolutely exceptional show that is being planned under the direction of Thomas Jolly, with the help of all the teams working across the four Paris 2024 ceremonies. Innovative, surprising and brilliant, these ceremonies already promise to be very powerful, just like “Records”, which has everything it takes to make a mark on the history of Closing Ceremonies”.
– Tony Estanguet, President of Paris 2024
Featuring over a hundred performers, acrobats, dancers, and circus artists, this visual spectacle will bear the signature of artistic director Thomas Jolly. An original soundtrack, new interpretations, musical performances, and the participation of world-renowned singers will complete the picture. Part of the show will take place in the air, while the giant sets, costumes, and spectacular lighting effects will take spectators on a journey through time—both past and future.
Traditional highlights of the Closing Ceremony such as the flags of the nations, the athletes’ parade, and the handover of the Olympic flag to the Los Angeles 2028 Organising Committee will all provide memorable moments.
For this exceptional show, Thomas Jolly has surrounded himself with a talented team: Kevin Germanier (Designer), Kevin Vivès (Choreographer), Antoine Travert (Lighting Designer), Clément Mirguet (Composer), Emmanuelle Favre (Set Designer), Samy Zerrouki (Assistant Director), alongside Maud Le Pladec (Dance Director), Victor le Masne (Musical Director) and Daphné Bürki (Styling and Costume Director).
For this ceremony, Thomas Jolly wanted to share a strong message and offer spectators a truly immersive collective journey: a journey into the past, to the origins of the Games, but also into the future, and ultimately to a timeless universe. The ambition is to celebrate in suspended time, with conscience, and with the idea that together we can make a difference.
“On 11 August 2024, the Olympic Games will be over and the Olympic flame will be extinguished. That moment will remind us just how precious these Olympic Games are – a unique monument to a shared experience – and therefore fragile. The Olympic Games already disappeared after antiquity and were re-founded in France by Pierre De Coubertin. We want to celebrate, but consciously. This moment of celebration will also be an opportunity to reflect on the importance of the Olympic Games in our society. So I’ve designed a show in which the Olympic Games disappear once again, and someone comes along and founds them. It’s a very visual, very choreographic, very acrobatic show with an operatic dimension to give a great visual fresco and say goodbye to athletes from all over the world. Together, let’s make this evening a memorable and conscious celebration, honouring the past and embracing the future.”
– Thomas Jolly, artistic director of the Paris 2024 ceremonies
With 38 days to go, ticket sales for the Olympic Games Closing Ceremony are in full swing, with 60% of tickets already sold or allocated. Category E is already sold out, with 5,000 tickets at €45 sold, but there are still opportunities to experience a unique show at the Stade de France!
