During the Paris 2024 Olympics closing ceremony, viewers were puzzled by the stage design at the Stade de France until they realized its significance. Initially, there were various guesses, with some suggesting it resembled a cat, slices of pie, or even chess pieces. However, it was eventually understood that the stage was designed to represent a world map. This revelation came as a surprise to many, with social media users sharing their delayed recognition of the design.
One user on X (formerly Twitter) mentioned, “Took me a good 15 minutes to work out that stage is the world map,” while another added, “Just realized that the central stage is the world map, not a geometric cat.” The stage’s design, from a bird’s-eye view, featured jagged shapes that ultimately formed a representation of the world, adding a symbolic element to the ceremony.
The closing ceremony also featured athletes tripping over a carpet on the stage, which became a source of amusement for viewers. Many took to social media to comment on the repeated stumbles, joking about the need for a health and safety warning. Despite these humorous moments, the Paris 2024 officials managed to put on a memorable show to conclude the Games.
The BBC’s commentary team also provided entertaining banter throughout the ceremony, with one exchange between commentators Andrew Cotter and Hazel Irvine particularly standing out. As the event wrapped up, fans appreciated the combination of symbolic stage design, light-hearted mishaps, and engaging commentary that made the closing ceremony a fitting end to the Olympic Games.
