The Long Final Day - Part 2 - Closing the Games

Tried hard not to fall asleep after the morning's marathon stint, but maybe I should have as there was still a lot of day left to be awake for.

Earlier in the week we had received an email asking if we wanted to be in the ballot for a place at the closing ceremony, the main requirement was to have done at least 1 road shift. 

Technically at that point I hadn't as the Para-tri had been moved to a day I wasn't on shift, so the marathon was to be my only road shift. The ballot gave me a place.

We had to be at the Stade de France at 6pm, gathering at the Aquatic centre, where we were tagged and grouped and given, what I'd say, was probably the best lunch pack I've had since being here.

We were there a while before we got briefed as to what we were doing. All in French so I got the gist, but when I asked someone what we were doing they were unsure. Seems I had understood the French after all.

We had all been divided into 3 teams, Blue, Yellow and White. No idea what the other 2 groups would be doing, but the Blue team were destined for the arena floor with the athletes.

Turns out we were to enter as a group, during the final speeches.

And yes it decided it was going to rain hard for most of the evening.

We had to pair up to walk in, and I found an American lady, Melissa, who ended up being my walk in buddy, and who I enjoyed most of the evening with. She had been exclusively on Road events, cycling, para-tri and marathon. 

We were held for a long time before we entered so all the athletes were already seated and then speeches began and we were ready to go.

But, wow, what an experience, with all the audience and their light bracelets, creating red, white, blue and green around the stadium. 

The noise was incredible as the final hand over to LA 2028 took place and the entertainment began. Loads of different DJs and artists, many I'd not heard of, all kicked off by Jean-Michel Jarre.  (Sadly video too big to add here)

We danced, did the conga and got showered in confetti, while the flame throwers in the stadium warmed us up briefly every time they went off.

Incredible atmosphere there.

It ended at 11pm, but then of course we had to leave along with all the spectators, so it was slow progress to get to the RER station and onto the RER back to Gare du Nord.

Our final evening complete, I head home tomorrow.

What an experience it has been.

Will I apply for LA2028? Hey who knows, but, I'll blog about it if I do 😀