This Closing Ceremony character deserves a gold medal—literally.
During the 2024 Paris Olympics Closing Ceremony Aug. 11, fans on social media immediately took note of the Golden Voyager figure that stole the show.
The masked extraterrestrial character, which was designed by the ceremony’s artistic director Thomas Jolly, descended from the top of the arena donned entirely gold armor with a spiked headpiece (One user on X, formerly Twitter, described its look as a “space wasp.”)
As for who was underneath the dazzling costume? The person was later revealed to be dancer Arthur Cadre.
Thomas designed the artistic character to represent the Voyager Golden Record, or the record of humanity sent to space by France in 1977, per the Associated Press, and it kept audiences very entertained during a section of the ceremony that paid homage to the history of France and the Olympics itself.
In addition to floating down from the rafters, the Golden Voyager completed a lengthy interpretive dance around the Closing Ceremony stage. Many viewers shared mixed reactions on the creative element to social media.
“‘Sleep paralysis demons’ is an interesting theme for the closing ceremony,” one X user wrote. “Let’s see where it goes.”
Meanwhile others compared the look to an episode of The Masked Singer, and even shared their theories as to who could be under the elaborate costume.
“Plot twist,” another user added. “The Golden Voyager at the Paris 2024 Closing Ceremony is actually the Australian breakdancer.”
But not everyone was into the character’s flair. As another person on X noted, “Pretty sure this golden voyager is going to figure in my nightmares for the next four years.”
And while the Golden Voyager earned its fair share of attention during the Olympics send-off, it was far from the only noteworthy appearance. After all, the indie rock band Phoenix made a surprise appearance, along with Vampire Weekend frontman Ezra Koenig, to perform some of its biggest hits for the crowd of 2024 Olympic athletes, including “Lisztomania” and “1901.”
In terms of athlete appearances, Team USA rower Nick Mead and 14-time Olympic medalist swimmer Katie Ledecky acted as flag bearers for the ceremony, and Katie even teased her plans for the next summer games in Los Angeles.
“I’d love to swim in 2028,” the 27-year-old told NBC’s Mike Tirico and Jimmy Fallon during the Closing Ceremony. “I think swimming in front of a home crowd would be incredible.”
Keep reading for more moments from the 2024 Closing Ceremony.
Zaho de Sagazan
The singer-songwriter kicked off the closing ceremony with a performance of "Sous le Ciel de Paris."
Leon Marchand
Team France's star swimmer carried the torch from Paris' Jardin des Tuileries to the Stade de France for the Closing Ceremony.
Nick Mead & Katie Ledecky
The gold medal-winning rower and the swimmer, who added four medals including two gold to her ever-growing list of Olympic accolades, served as Team USA's flag bearers.
Tara Davis-Woodhall & Trinity Rodman
The gold medalists—Davis-Woodhall for long jump and Rodman for soccer—walk into the Stade de France alongside Team USA.
Tigst Assefa, Sifan Hassan & Hellen Obiri
The medal ceremony for the final track and field event of the 2024 Olympics, the women's marathon, took place at the Closing Ceremony, with Team Netherlands' Hassan winning gold, while Assefa of Team Ethiopia took home silver and Team Kenya runner Hellen Obiri won bronze.
Golden Voyager
A Golden Voyager descents into the Stade de France during the Closing Ceremony.
Alain Roche
The Suiss Pianist played "Hymn to Apollo" while suspended into the air at the Stade de France.
Stade de France
The pyrotechnics display inside the Stade de France after the assembly of the Olympic rings.
Phoenix
The French indie rock band serenaded the Olympians with hits like "1901" and "Lisztomania"
Simone Biles & Karen Bass
The gymnastics star had a special role during the Closing Ceremony, joining the Los Angeles mayor to welcome the Games to Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympics.
Tom Cruise
The Mission: Impossible star brought his stunt A-Game to the Closing Ceremony as he dropped into the Stade de France from the open roof.
Tom Cruise
But a freefall into the stadium wasn't his only stunt as Simone and Karen handed him the Olympic flag to deliver to Los Angeles.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
As the Olympic flag touched down in the U.S.A., the rock group kicked off a trio of performances in Venice Beach.
Finneas & Billie Eilish
The siblings and longtime collaborators performed her hit "Birds of a Feather" as part of the Venice Beach concert welcoming the Olympics to Los Angeles in 2028.
Snoop Dogg
The 2024 Olympics Special Correspondent took on a second role during—rounding out the LA28 handoff.
Yseult
The French singer-songwriter performed the Frank Sinatra hit "My Way" to officially end the Closing Ceremony.
Stade de France
The 2024 Olympics officially concluded with a dazzling light show that lit up the Parisian sky.