An Olympic Games which has captivated the world and will continue to inspire many more people concluded with a magnificent Closing Ceremony at the Stade de France in Paris.
This was the first Olympic Games held in Europe for more than a decade, and it has seen iconic venues packed out by fans from Europe and beyond, and some remarkable success stories from European athletes.
In total, more than 43% of the medals available were won by European athletes – 128 golds, 144 silvers and 176 bronzes, more than any other continent for each colour medal.
There were 12 winners or nominees for the European Olympic Committees’ (EOC) Piotr Nurowski Prize who are taking home medals from Paris. The Piotr Nurowski Prize honours the best young European athlete each year, and the achievements of its former winners or nominees demonstrates the strength and depth of sporting talent across Europe.
The 2019 Piotr Nurowski Prize winner Yaroslava Mahuchikh of Ukraine won gold in the women’s high jump, while last year’s joint-winner Darja Varfolomeev of Germany triumphed in the all-around rhythmic gymnastics.
Varfolomeev shared the 12th Piotr Nurowski Prize with Turkish swimmer Kuzey Tunçelli, who achieved his country’s best-ever performance in his sport with a fifth-place finish in the 1,500m freestyle, helped by the €15,000 training scholarship he received for winning the PNP.
There were additionally 59 gold medallists from last year’s European Games in Kraków-Małopolska who followed up their success by winning medals in Paris, highlighting the important pathway provided by Europe’s premier multi-sport event to the Olympic Games.
Among the gold medallists in Paris were boxers Oleksandr Khyzhniak of Ukraine and Kellie Harrington of Ireland who both qualified for the Olympic Games at Kraków-Małopolska 2023.
Former EOC Refugee Team athlete Cindy Ngamba also made history as the IOC Refugee Olympic Team’s first-ever Olympic medallist with a bronze in the women’s -75kg boxing.
The Olympic Games concluded with a spectacular Closing Ceremony, where IOC President Thomas Bach praised Paris for delivering a Games of a New Era.
President Bach said before declaring the Olympic Games closed: “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.
“These Olympic Games could only inspire the world, because our French friends have prepared the stage. And what an amazing stage it was!”
Reflecting on the Olympic Games, EOC President Spyros Capralos congratulated all European athletes for their achievements. President Capralos said. “This has been an incredible Olympic Games in Paris. The performances of the athletes and vibrant atmospheres will inspire young people across Europe beyond the Closing Ceremony.
“Our European athletes have excelled once again on the highest stage with some memorable performances, including many who used the European Games as a springboard for further success at the Olympic Games.
“I am extremely proud that all of our European athletes have embodied the Olympic values at these Games, and it has made us all even more excited for more major events coming up in Europe, including the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 and the 4th European Games in Istanbul in 2027.”
