Athletes at the Olympic Games closing ceremony caused chaos by not leaving the stage as requested, leading to a brief moment of confusion and excitement. The ceremony, which was designed to symbolize athletes taking possession of the world and its oceans, saw 9,000 athletes and staff waiting to the side of the pitch before pouring onto the multi-shaped stage.
Despite announcements in both French and English asking the athletes to leave the stage, some of them remained, joining the French indie rock band Phoenix on stage. While stewards eventually managed to clear the stage after about 10 minutes, it was clear that many athletes had misunderstood the invitation and thought they were supposed to join the performers.
Although the situation was initially chaotic, with some athletes lingering on stage longer than others, there was no indication of any serious issues. Phoenix continued their set, with performances by the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Snoop Dogg expected later in the evening.
The closing ceremony, choreographed by Thomas Jolly, aimed to make the athletes active participants in the grand finale after 17 days of intense competition. The stage, representing the five continents and the oceans, was meant to be a symbolic space for the athletes to celebrate their achievements.
Overall, while the athletes’ excitement and high spirits led to a moment of disorder, the ceremony continued smoothly after they were eventually ushered off the stage. The incident added an unexpected element of liveliness to the event, showcasing the athletes’ enthusiasm and energy even in the closing moments of the Olympic Games.
