Azerbaijan at Paris 2024: Historic medal haul and closing ceremony highlights PHOTO

As the XXXIII Summer Olympic Games in Paris came to a close, Azerbaijan's national team made a remarkable and proud appearance during the closing ceremony, leaving a lasting impression on the global stage.

The ceremony, held at the iconic Stade de France stadium, was a moment of pride for Azerbaijan as its athletes marched with the nation's flag held high, Caliber.Az reports.

Olympic silver medallist Gashim Magomedov, a taekwondo competitor, and Zeynab Hummatova, a member of Azerbaijan’s rhythmic gymnastics team, had the honor of carrying the national flag. Hummatova had earlier impressed with a commendable 5th place finish in the rhythmic gymnastics competition, showcasing her talent and the country’s growing presence in the sport.

Azerbaijan’s performance at these Games was nothing short of historic. For the first time, the national team secured a position within the top 30 in the overall team medal standings, marking a significant milestone in the country's Olympic history. 

Leading the charge were judokas Hidayat Heydarov in the 73kg category and Zelim Kotsoyev in the 100kg category, both of whom claimed gold medals, underlining Azerbaijan’s strength in judo on the world stage. Gashim Magomedov added to the medal tally with a silver in the 58kg taekwondo category, reinforcing his status as one of the top athletes in his field. Alfonso Dominguez, competing in the 92kg boxing category, also brought home a silver medal, demonstrating his prowess in the ring.

The success continued with bronze medals in wrestling, where Azerbaijan’s athletes proved their mettle. Hasrat Jafarov secured a bronze in the 67kg Greco-Roman wrestling category, while freestyle wrestlers Magomedkhan Magomedov (97kg) and Georgy Meshvildishvili (125kg) each claimed bronze in their respective weight classes.

This historic medal haul reflects Azerbaijan’s growing influence and competitiveness in the global sports arena. The nation’s athletes have not only brought glory to their country but have also inspired future generations of Azerbaijani sportsmen and women. The Paris 2024 Olympic Games will undoubtedly be remembered as a landmark event in Azerbaijan's sporting history.

The ceremony was held at the Stade de France, the national stadium of France, located in the northern Parisian suburb of Saint-Denis. 

Unlike the opening ceremony, where athletes march by country, the closing parade was more informal, with athletes mingling together, celebrating their achievements and friendships formed during the Games.

A key moment was the handover of the Olympic flag to the next host city, marking the transition to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

The closing ceremony ended with a spectacular fireworks display, lighting up the Parisian sky and providing a fitting finale to the Olympic Games. The celebrations continued throughout the night, with events and festivities happening across the city.