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.
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.”
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.
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Roll of honour 2019-2020
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners: Dubai Hurricanes
Runners up: Bahrain
West Asia Premiership
Winners: Bahrain
Runners up: UAE Premiership
UAE Premiership
Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes
UAE Division One
Winners: Abu Dhabi Saracens
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes II
UAE Division Two
Winners: Barrelhouse
Runners up: RAK Rugby
Company profile
Name: Infinite8
Based: Dubai
Launch year: 2017
Number of employees: 90
Sector: Online gaming industry
Funding: $1.2m from a UAE angel investor
Visa changes give families fresh hope
Foreign workers can sponsor family members based solely on their income
Male residents employed in the UAE can sponsor immediate family members, such as wife and children, subject to conditions that include a minimum salary of Dh 4,000 or Dh 3,000 plus accommodation.
Attested original marriage certificate, birth certificate of the child, ejari or rental contract, labour contract, salary certificate must be submitted to the government authorised typing centre to complete the sponsorship process
In Abu Dhabi, a woman can sponsor her husband and children if she holds a residence permit stating she is an engineer, teacher, doctor, nurse or any profession related to the medical sector and her monthly salary is at least Dh 10,000 or Dh 8,000 plus accommodation.
In Dubai, if a woman is not employed in the above categories she can get approval to sponsor her family if her monthly salary is more than Dh 10,000 and with a special permission from the Department of Naturalization and Residency Dubai.
To sponsor parents, a worker should earn Dh20,000 or Dh19,000 a month, plus a two-bedroom accommodation
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Expo details
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
1,000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List
James Mustich, Workman
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The studios taking part (so far)
- Punch
- Vogue Fitness
- Sweat
- Bodytree Studio
- The Hot House
- The Room
- Inspire Sports (Ladies Only)
- Cryo
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
Price: From Dh796,600
On sale: now
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
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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
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
