Actor Tom Cruise holds the flag during the Paris Olympics closing ceremony. Reuters
Actor Tom Cruise holds the flag during the Paris Olympics closing ceremony. Reuters
A fireworks display during the closing ceremony at Stade de France. Getty images
A fireworks display during the closing ceremony at Stade de France. Getty images
Cruise was part of the star-studded event. AFP
Cruise was part of the star-studded event. AFP
The actor left the stadium with the Olympic flag on a motorbike. AFP
The actor left the stadium with the Olympic flag on a motorbike. AFP
Dancers perform during the event at Stade de France. Getty Images
Dancers perform during the event at Stade de France. Getty Images
American singer Her sang the USA's national anthem. Getty Images
American singer Her sang the USA's national anthem. Getty Images
French singer-songwriter Yseult was one of the performers of the night. AFP
French singer-songwriter Yseult was one of the performers of the night. AFP
International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach, left, and World Athletics president Sebastian Coe presented the medals for the women's marathon. AFP
International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach, left, and World Athletics president Sebastian Coe presented the medals for the women's marathon. AFP
Athletes arrive for the closing ceremony. PA
Athletes arrive for the closing ceremony. PA
French President Emmanuel Macron was also in attendance. EPA
French President Emmanuel Macron was also in attendance. EPA
French athletes pass one of their host down the line at the ceremony. Reuters
French athletes pass one of their host down the line at the ceremony. Reuters
Women's marathon gold medallist, Sifan Hassan from Netherlands. AFP
Women's marathon gold medallist, Sifan Hassan from Netherlands. AFP
Flagbearers parade at the ceremony. AP
Flagbearers parade at the ceremony. AP
Angolan canoeist Benilson Sanda at the ceremony. AFP
Angolan canoeist Benilson Sanda at the ceremony. AFP
French athletes bid farewell to the rest of the world. Reuters
French athletes bid farewell to the rest of the world. Reuters
Nigerian athletes at the closing ceremony. AFP
Nigerian athletes at the closing ceremony. AFP
Saudi athletes join in the festivities. EPA
Saudi athletes join in the festivities. EPA
India's flagbearers, shooter Manu Bhaker, right, and field hockey player Sreejesh Parattu Raveendran, at the closing ceremony. Reuters
India's flagbearers, shooter Manu Bhaker, right, and field hockey player Sreejesh Parattu Raveendran, at the closing ceremony. Reuters
China's contingent of athletes enters the arena. Reuters
China's contingent of athletes enters the arena. Reuters
Canada's athletes celebrate. AFP
Canada's athletes celebrate. AFP
A huge Stade de France crowd watches as the athletes parade. Reuters
A huge Stade de France crowd watches as the athletes parade. Reuters
French singer Zaho de Sagazan performs Under the Paris Sky at the ceremony. Getty Images
French singer Zaho de Sagazan performs Under the Paris Sky at the ceremony. Getty Images
The athletes gather in the stadium for the closing ceremony. Reuters
The athletes gather in the stadium for the closing ceremony. Reuters
The Japanese contingent waves to the crowds. AP
The Japanese contingent waves to the crowds. AP
Team Algeria joins the celebrations. Getty Images
Team Algeria joins the celebrations. Getty Images
French swimmer Leon Marchand carries the Olympic flame. Getty Images
French swimmer Leon Marchand carries the Olympic flame. Getty Images
Athletes enter the stadium en masse, instead of being separated by countries for the closing ceremony. AFP
Athletes enter the stadium en masse, instead of being separated by countries for the closing ceremony. AFP
A performance by an orchestra at the event. Reuters
A performance by an orchestra at the event. Reuters
Sharon Van Rouwendaal from the Netherlands won a gold medal for the swimming marathon. AFP
Sharon Van Rouwendaal from the Netherlands won a gold medal for the swimming marathon. AFP
Saudi athletes at the event. AFP
Saudi athletes at the event. AFP
President Macron and his wife Brigitte were among the spectators of the ceremony. PA
President Macron and his wife Brigitte were among the spectators of the ceremony. PA

Sport

Olympics

Thomas Bach hails 'Seine-sational' Olympic Games as Arab athletes make their mark in Paris

Sunday's closing ceremony concludes a historically successful Olympics for Arab athletes

The National

August 12, 2024

  • English
  • Arabic

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said the Paris Games marked a successful start to a "new era" as Sunday's closing ceremony concluded a historic Olympics.

After more than two weeks of competition, the Games came to an end in a star-studded showpiece at the Stade de France on Sunday night.

“The Olympic Games Paris 2024 were a celebration of the athletes and of sport at its best," Bach said. “The first Olympic Games delivered completely under our Olympic agenda reforms: younger, more urban, more inclusive, more sustainable. The first Olympic Games with full gender parity.

“These were sensational Olympic Games from start to finish – or dare I say: these were Seine-sational Olympic Games from start to finish. The Olympic Games Paris 2024 were Olympic Games of a new era.”

Bach also praised the athletes for their performances and for inspiring a “culture of peace” throughout the Games.

“Your performances were simply amazing. You competed fiercely against each other," he said. “Every contest on the edge of perfection. Every performance sparking excitement around the world. You showed us what greatness we humans are capable of.

“During all this time, you lived peacefully together under one roof in the Olympic Village. You embraced each other. You respected each other, even if your countries are divided by war and conflict. You created a culture of peace.

“This inspired all of us and billions of people around the globe. Thank you for making us dream. Thank you for making us believe in a better world for everyone.

“We know that the Olympic Games cannot create peace. But the Olympic Games can create a culture of peace that inspires the world. This is why I call on everyone who shares this Olympic spirit: let us live this culture of peace every single day.”

Sunday’s finale kicked off with an orchestral opening before flagbearers and athletes were welcomed into the stadium.

Riders compete in the women's track cycling omnium tempo race of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines National Velodrome in Montigny-le-Bretonneux, south-west of Paris. AFP
Riders compete in the women's track cycling omnium tempo race of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines National Velodrome in Montigny-le-Bretonneux, south-west of Paris. AFP
Athletes compete during the Women's Marathon on Day 16 of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Esplanade Des Invalides. Getty Images
Athletes compete during the Women's Marathon on Day 16 of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Esplanade Des Invalides. Getty Images
Kenny Organ competes in the steer wrestling event at the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo in Mount Isa City, Queensland, Australia. Getty Images
Kenny Organ competes in the steer wrestling event at the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo in Mount Isa City, Queensland, Australia. Getty Images
Displaced Palestinians flee Hamad City following an Israeli evacuation order in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. Reuters
Displaced Palestinians flee Hamad City following an Israeli evacuation order in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. Reuters
Mutaz Essa Barshim of Team Qatar celebrates winning the bronze medal following the Men's High Jump Final on Day 15 of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France. Getty Images
Mutaz Essa Barshim of Team Qatar celebrates winning the bronze medal following the Men's High Jump Final on Day 15 of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France. Getty Images
An image of a large cat stretching, believed to be by street artist Banksy, appears on an advertising hoarding on Edgware Road in Cricklewood, in London, England. Getty Images
An image of a large cat stretching, believed to be by street artist Banksy, appears on an advertising hoarding on Edgware Road in Cricklewood, in London, England. Getty Images
Shamier Little, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Gabrielle Thomas and Alexis Holmes of Team United States celebrate winning Gold in the Women's 4 x 400m Relay Final on Day 15 of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France. Getty Images
Shamier Little, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Gabrielle Thomas and Alexis Holmes of Team United States celebrate winning Gold in the Women's 4 x 400m Relay Final on Day 15 of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France. Getty Images
A residential building burns following a missile attack on Kursk, Russia, after an incursion by Ukrainian troops to the south-west. AFP
A residential building burns following a missile attack on Kursk, Russia, after an incursion by Ukrainian troops to the south-west. AFP
In the Paris 2024 Olympics taekwondo for women +67kg Bronze medal contests at the Grand Palais in Paris, Nafia Kus Aydin of Turkey celebrates with her national flag after winning her bout against Rebecca McGowan of the UK. Reuters
In the Paris 2024 Olympics taekwondo for women +67kg Bronze medal contests at the Grand Palais in Paris, Nafia Kus Aydin of Turkey celebrates with her national flag after winning her bout against Rebecca McGowan of the UK. Reuters
A child falls during a bicycle balance competition over a plank on a river, part of community festivities ahead of the 79th anniversary of Indonesia's Independence Day, in Surabaya. AFP
A child falls during a bicycle balance competition over a plank on a river, part of community festivities ahead of the 79th anniversary of Indonesia's Independence Day, in Surabaya. AFP
Dancers perform prior to the rhythmic gymnastics' group all-around final during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Porte de la Chapelle Arena. AFP
Dancers perform prior to the rhythmic gymnastics' group all-around final during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Porte de la Chapelle Arena. AFP

Following a display showcasing the origins of the Olympics, the baton was passed over to Los Angeles towards the end of the ceremony, which included Tom Cruise escorting the Olympic flag out of the stadium on a motorbike.

A video saw the flag reach LA and was subsequently followed by music on the beach by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Billie Eilish and Snoop Dogg.

Bach concluded his speech by thanking France for hosting the 2024 Games.

“Dear French friends, you have fallen in love with the Olympic Games. And we have fallen in love with all of you,” he said. “Thank you Paris, thank you France. Long live the Olympic Games. Long live France.”

Gold medallist Imane Khelif poses on the podium. AFP
Gold medallist Imane Khelif poses on the podium. AFP
From the left: Silver medallist China's Yang Liu, gold medallist Algeria's Imane Khelif and bronze medallists Thailand's Janjaem Suwannapheng and Taiwan's Chen Nien. AFP
From the left: Silver medallist China's Yang Liu, gold medallist Algeria's Imane Khelif and bronze medallists Thailand's Janjaem Suwannapheng and Taiwan's Chen Nien. AFP
Gold medallist Imane Khelif poses on the podium during the medal ceremony. AFP
Gold medallist Imane Khelif poses on the podium during the medal ceremony. AFP
Algeria's Imane Khelif, left, fights China's Yang Liu. AP
Algeria's Imane Khelif, left, fights China's Yang Liu. AP
Algeria's Imane Khelif, right, fights China's Yang Liu. AP
Algeria's Imane Khelif, right, fights China's Yang Liu. AP
Algeria's Imane Khelif after beating China's Yang Liu. AFP
Algeria's Imane Khelif after beating China's Yang Liu. AFP
Algerian fans celebrate as they watch their compatriot Imane Khelif win the gold medal. EPA
Algerian fans celebrate as they watch their compatriot Imane Khelif win the gold medal. EPA
Algerian fans celebrate as they watch their compatriot Imane Khelif win the gold medal. EPA
Algerian fans celebrate as they watch their compatriot Imane Khelif win the gold medal. EPA
Algerian fans celebrate as they watch their compatriot Imane Khelif win the gold medal. EPA
Algerian fans celebrate as they watch their compatriot Imane Khelif win the gold medal. EPA
Algerian fans celebrate as they watch their compatriot Imane Khelif win the gold medal. EPA
Algerian fans celebrate as they watch their compatriot Imane Khelif win the gold medal. EPA

The Paris Games also provided unprecedented success for Arab athletes, who collectively won seven gold medals, which is the highest tally for athletes representing the region at any Olympic Games.

Algeria was responsible for two golds, with both achieved in historic circumstances. Firstly, 17-year-old gymnast Kaylia Nemour became Africa’s first Olympic medallist in gymnastics in uneven bars, before boxer Imane Khelif blocked out the gender controversy noise to win the welterweight title.

Bahrain also claimed two golds as top-ranked 3,000m steeplechase star Winfred Yavi lived up to her billing to clinch the title, while wrestler Akhmed Tazhudinov won the 97kg division on the final day.

Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco also had athletes top the podium as Ahmed Elgendy set a modern pentathlon world record, Firas Katoussi claimed gold in the 80kg taekwondo event, and Soufiane El Bakkali won the men's 3,000m steeplechase respectively.

In all, Arab nations won 17 medals at the Paris Olympics.

Kareem Shaheen on Canada
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?

The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.

A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.

Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.

The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.

When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.

How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
How green is the expo nursery?

Some 400,000 shrubs and 13,000 trees in the on-site nursery

An additional 450,000 shrubs and 4,000 trees to be delivered in the months leading up to the expo

Ghaf, date palm, acacia arabica, acacia tortilis, vitex or sage, techoma and the salvadora are just some heat tolerant native plants in the nursery

Approximately 340 species of shrubs and trees selected for diverse landscape

The nursery team works exclusively with organic fertilisers and pesticides

All shrubs and trees supplied by Dubai Municipality

Most sourced from farms, nurseries across the country

Plants and trees are re-potted when they arrive at nursery to give them room to grow

Some mature trees are in open areas or planted within the expo site

Green waste is recycled as compost

Treated sewage effluent supplied by Dubai Municipality is used to meet the majority of the nursery’s irrigation needs

Construction workforce peaked at 40,000 workers

About 65,000 people have signed up to volunteer

Main themes of expo is  ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ and three subthemes of opportunity, mobility and sustainability.

Expo 2020 Dubai to open in October 2020 and run for six months

Women’s World T20, Asia Qualifier

UAE results
Beat China by 16 runs
Lost to Thailand by 10 wickets
Beat Nepal by five runs
Beat Hong Kong by eight wickets
Beat Malaysia by 34 runs

Standings (P, W, l, NR, points)

1. Thailand 5 4 0 1 9
2. UAE 5 4 1 0 8
3. Nepal 5 2 1 2 6
4. Hong Kong 5 2 2 1 5
5. Malaysia 5 1 4 0 2
6. China 5 0 5 0 0

Final
Thailand v UAE, Monday, 7am

On Women's Day
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

The Great Derangement: Climate Change and the Unthinkable
Amitav Ghosh, University of Chicago Press

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
While you're here
How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
While you're here
Results

Stage 7:

1. Caleb Ewan (AUS) Lotto Soudal - 3:18:29

2. Sam Bennett (IRL) Deceuninck-QuickStep - same time

3. Phil Bauhaus (GER) Bahrain Victorious

4. Michael Morkov (DEN) Deceuninck-QuickStep

5. Cees Bol (NED) Team DSM

General Classification:

1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates - 24:00:28

2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers - 0:00:35

3. Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep - 0:01:02

4. Chris Harper (AUS) Jumbo-Visma - 0:01:42

5. Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-Nippo - 0:01:45

Gothia Cup 2025

4,872 matches 

1,942 teams

116 pitches

76 nations

26 UAE teams

15 Lebanese teams

2 Kuwaiti teams

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Apple%20M3%2C%208-core%20CPU%2C%20up%20to%2010-core%20CPU%2C%2016-core%20Neural%20Engine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2013.6-inch%20Liquid%20Retina%2C%202560%20x%201664%2C%20224ppi%2C%20500%20nits%2C%20True%20Tone%2C%20wide%20colour%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%2F16%2F24GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStorage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20256%2F512GB%20%2F%201%2F2TB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Thunderbolt%203%2FUSB-4%20(2)%2C%203.5mm%20audio%2C%20Touch%20ID%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wi-Fi%206E%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2052.6Wh%20lithium-polymer%2C%20up%20to%2018%20hours%2C%20MagSafe%20charging%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECamera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201080p%20FaceTime%20HD%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVideo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Support%20for%20Apple%20ProRes%2C%20HDR%20with%20Dolby%20Vision%2C%20HDR10%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAudio%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204-speaker%20system%2C%20wide%20stereo%2C%20support%20for%20Dolby%20Atmos%2C%20Spatial%20Audio%20and%20dynamic%20head%20tracking%20(with%20AirPods)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Midnight%2C%20silver%2C%20space%20grey%2C%20starlight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20MacBook%20Air%2C%2030W%2F35W%20dual-port%2F70w%20power%20adapter%2C%20USB-C-to-MagSafe%20cable%2C%202%20Apple%20stickers%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh4%2C599%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Result:

1. Cecilie Hatteland (NOR) atop Alex - 31.46 seconds

2. Anna Gorbacheva (RUS) atop Curt 13 - 31.82 seconds

3. Georgia Tame (GBR) atop Cash Up - 32.81 seconds

4. Sheikha Latifa bint Ahmed Al Maktoum (UAE) atop Peanuts de Beaufour - 35.85 seconds

5. Miriam Schneider (GER) atop Benur du Romet - 37.53 seconds

6. Annika Sande (NOR) atop For Cash 2 - 31.42 seconds (4 penalties)

Champions parade (UAE timings)

7pm Gates open

8pm Deansgate stage showing starts

9pm Parade starts at Manchester Cathedral

9.45pm Parade ends at Peter Street

10pm City players on stage

11pm event ends

The specs: 2018 Renault Megane

Price, base / as tested Dh52,900 / Dh59,200

Engine 1.6L in-line four-cylinder

Transmission Continuously variable transmission

Power 115hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque 156Nm @ 4,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined 6.6L / 100km

French business

France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.

Drivers’ championship standings after Singapore:

1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes - 263
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari - 235
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes - 212
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull - 162
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari - 138
6. Sergio Perez, Force India - 68

Updated: August 12, 2024, 11:53 AM`
Paris Olympics 2024