Zaho de Sagazan Captivates Crowd with Iconic French Song at Paris 2024 Olympics Closing Ceremony

The curtain fell on the Paris 2024 Olympics with a grand finale that showcased the best of French culture and talent. At the heart of this celebration was the captivating performance by rising star Zaho de Sagazan, who took the stage in the Jardin des Tuileries to deliver a soulful rendition of the iconic French song “Sous le ciel de Paris.”

A Fitting Tribute to French Heritage

Zaho de Sagazan, known for her unique blend of French chanson, electro, and pop influences, delivered a powerful performance that paid homage to the city’s rich musical heritage. Accompanied by the choir of the Haendel-Hendrix Academy, the young artist’s haunting voice and introspective lyrics resonated with the crowd gathered beneath the Olympic cauldron.

The choice of “Sous le ciel de Paris,” a song originally made famous by the legendary Edith Piaf, was a fitting tribute to France’s cultural legacy. As Zaho de Sagazan’s voice soared, the audience was transported to the romantic streets of the City of Light, a fitting farewell to the Games that had captivated the world for the past two weeks.

A Spectacular Closing Ceremony

The closing ceremony at the Stade de France was a grand affair, with 270 artists and performers taking the stage to bid farewell to the athletes and spectators. Over 71,000 people filled the stadium, the culmination of 35 days of meticulous rehearsals to ensure the event was a resounding success.

The ceremony began with the traditional Parade of Nations, as representatives from each of the 204 delegations entered the arena. In a notable moment, Team USA’s flag bearers, swimmer Katie Ledecky and athlete Nick Mead, entered the arena carrying the U.S. flag. Mead expressed his excitement, stating, “It’s incredible,” as they joined representatives from other nations. 

In a departure from the opening ceremony, where the delegations traveled by boat on the Seine, Ledecky and Mead walked in alongside the other flag bearers, a symbolic passing of the torch to the next host city, Los Angeles.