By REY C. LACHICA
PARIS – Despite the heartaches and controversies, the remaining members of Team Philippines will still march proudly during the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics on Sunday, Aug. 11, at the Stade de France which has a sitting capacity of 80,000.
Located just north of the French capital in the commune of Saint-Denis, the colossal stadium is likely to burst into a whirl of color and pageantry, perhaps tamer than the opening ceremony which was held in an oven venue – on River Seine in front of the iconic Eiffel Tower.
Double gold medalist Carlos Yulo is expected to be at the forefront of the PH delegation, standing tall and shining brightly with his two precious metals dangling around his neck.
The greatest Filipino gymnast or perhaps the greatest Filipino Olympian, Yulo will be joined by bronze medalists Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villlegas in the parade of athletes.
Still around are Carlo Paalam, weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, Elreen Ando, and John Febuar Ceniza and golfers Bianca Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina who competed last among the 22-PH delegation in the greatest show on earth.
If lucky enough, they will march alongside with the top achievers of this year’s edition including Swiss great Armand Duplantis who smashed the Olympic and world record in pole vault, and several standouts in athletics, swimming and shooting.
Though most of the details were not yet divulged, the event has the touch of Hollywood with Los Angeles being the next host of the biggest show on earth in 2028.
The show is going to be shorter than the opening, but certainly it is going to bring them to the “futuristic world.”
One of the highlights – if the report is true – could be a death-defying stunt of Hollywood star Tom Cruise.
The “Mission Impossible” star, they said, will appear during the passing of the five rings flag to host Los Angeles.
The lavish opening ceremonies drew a record audience of more than a billion worldwide and the team of the revered director Thomas Jolly expects more.
If the presence of Cruise is not enough, then a number of big-time artists have been invited to make the night truly special.
Among them are Céline Dion, Lady Gaga, Aya Namakura, Gojira and Juliette Armanet.
According to Le Parisien, Versailles-based Phoenix and the electro duo of Air will provide the French touch in the affair where Jolly is expected to combine “wonder” with “dystopia” that suggests darker elements than the joyful but “disrespectful” tone of the opening ceremony.
The two famous bands practically brought the house when they held a unique free concert at the roof of Terminal 1at Charles-de-Gaulle airport.
