Los Angeles Takes the Baton: Highlights and Shifts from Paris Olympics to LA

Paris has officially concluded its successful Olympic Games, leaving Los Angeles in charge for the next iteration. The United States clinched the final gold in women's basketball, elevating them to the top of the medal table. Highlights include cinematic moments, record-breaking performances, and upcoming bids for future Olympics.

Paris has passed the baton to Los Angeles after hosting a successful Olympic Games that significantly rejuvenated the Olympic brand.

The United States took the final gold medal in a nail-biting women's basketball game against France, ensuring they topped the medal table ahead of China. Here's a wrap-up of Sunday's key Olympic events.

The closing ceremony was a grand affair starting with French hero Leon Marchand's appearances and quintessentially French performance art, transitioning to a Hollywood-style climax.

Tom Cruise made a dramatic entrance, rappelling into the stadium and staging a thrilling sequence that took him back to Los Angeles, where Olympic rings were added to the Hollywood sign, culminating with a city-wide flag relay and a performance by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

The U.S. women's basketball team won a historic eighth consecutive Olympic title, edging out France 67-66 in a gripping final. LeBron James, who watched courtside wearing the gold medal from the U.S. men's team's triumph over France, witnessed his female counterparts extending their Olympic winning streak to 61 games.

The United States topped the medal table with 40 golds and 44 silvers, edging out China, which also won 40 golds but only managed 27 silvers. Host nation France achieved its goal of finishing in the top five, recording its largest medal haul since 1900.

The Netherlands' Sifan Hassan created history by medaling in the marathon, 5000 meters, and 10,000 meters races, an achievement not seen since 1952.

Looking forward, Egypt aims to host the 2036 and 2040 Summer Olympics, aiming to bring the Games to Africa for the first time.

The event also saw Dutch cyclist Harrie Lavreysen complete a spectacular hat-trick by winning the keirin event, confirming his dominance in men's sprinting.

The United States continued its relay dominance, winning both the men's and women's 4x400 meters relays. Additionally, Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting claimed a controversial gold in women's featherweight boxing, while American gymnast Jordan Chiles is on the verge of losing her bronze medal due to a court ruling.

This Olympics heralded a new era marked by significant product placements, notably athletes receiving medals on Louis Vuitton trays and Samsung flip phones for victory selfies.

(With inputs from agencies.)