Image source, Getty Images

The Los Angeles Olympics opening ceremony will take place on 14 July 2028, with the closing ceremony just over two weeks later, on 30 July. The Paralympic opening ceremony will be on 15 August, and the closing event will be on 27 August.

In all, more than 50 Olympic and Paralympic sports will be contested across more than 800 events.

The 2028 Games marks the third time LA has hosted the Olympics, and organisers - who have been eager to emphasise their sustainability credentials - have said no new, permanent constructions will be needed for the event.

Instead, dozens of existing sites have been earmarked for use, including the home stadium of football team LA Galaxy and the LA Memorial Coliseum, which will host the athletics events as it did in LA's two previous Olympics.

Perhaps unsurprisingly in a city that is famous for its palm-fringed shoreline, beach volleyball is expected to be hosted on an actual beach - something that was not possible in Paris this year.

But some venues will need to be adapted. For example, the SoFi Stadium, as it is currently known, in the suburb of Inglewood, will be converted to host the swimming races, with a resplendent Olympic pool added.

Meanwhile, student housing at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) will be turned into the athletes' village for the summer, and provide training facilities.

The Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, joins Thomas Bach on stage, while the Mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, joins the IOC President from the opposite direction.

*Checks programme notes*

The three are symbolically united between Europe and North America, above the Atlantic Ocean.

We're now officially into the handover section with France almost ready to take a unified deep breath out as they are relieved of their duties and it's over to the United States to lead the way for Los Angeles 2028.

Image source, Reuters

Gavin from Carrickfergus

Wendy, Norwich

Down comes the Olympic flag while the Olympic Anthem is played by the Maîtrise de Fontainebleau and the Orchestre Divertimento.

Some closing words from IOC president Thomas Bach: "A special thank-you to all the marvellous volunteers. You will be forever in our hearts.

"Dear French friends, you have fallen in love with the Olympic Games. And we have fallen in love with all of you.

"Thank you Paris, thank you France. Long live the Olympic Games. Long live France."

I love a pun but Thomas Bach has gone to a new level there.

Tony Estanguet warmed up the crowd as every good compare should, but Bach just didn't get the delivery right with his "SEINE-sational" pun.

Such a shame.

James FitzGerald
BBC News reporter at the Stade de France

Groans from the stadium rafters as Bach delivers a pun on Paris's famous river, talking of a "Seine-sational Games".

More from Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, who said: "These Olympic Games could only inspire the world, because our French friends prepared the stage. And what a magnificent stage it was.

"Millions of people celebrating the athletes in the streets of Paris and all across France. Millions of spectators in iconic venues creating an overwhelming atmosphere. More than half of the world’s population sharing this spectacular celebration of the unity of humankind in all our diversity.

"The Olympic Games Paris 2024 were a celebration of the athletes and sport at its best. The first Olympic Games delivered fully under our Olympic Agenda reforms: younger, more urban, more inclusive, more sustainable. The first ever Olympic Games with full gender parity.

"These were sensational Olympic Games from start to finish – or dare I say: SEINE-sational Olympic Games.

"The Olympic Games Paris 2024 were Olympic Games of a new era."

Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, said: "Despite all the tensions in our world, you came here from all 206 national Olympic committees and the IOC Refugee Olympic Team, to make the City of Light shine brighter than ever before.

"Your performances were amazing. You competed fiercely against each other. Every contest on the edge of perfection. Every performance sparking excitement around the world. You showed us what greatness we humans are capable of.

"During all this time, you lived peacefully together under one roof in the Olympic Village. You embraced each other. You respected each other, even if your countries are divided by war and conflict. You created a culture of peace.

"This inspired all of us and billions of people around the globe. Thank you for making us dream. Thank you for making us believe in a better world for everyone.

"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."

Image source, PA Media

The action in Paris doesn't stop here, with the 2024 Paralympic Games starting on 28 August and running until 8 September.

ParalympicsGB is expecting to send a team of about 213 athletes to the French capital to compete in 19 of the 22 sports.

At Tokyo 2020, the British team finished second in the medal table behind China, winning 124 medals, including 41 golds, across a record-breaking 18 different sports.

If you are in the UK you can watch the Paralympics on Channel 4 and listen on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Image source, Getty Images

James FitzGerald
BBC News reporter at the Stade de France

Estanguet has to pause his address for a moment as he's drowned out by the chants from a raucous French contingent somewhere to my right.

They seem to heartily agree with his sentiment that the nation's Olympic medal-winners have "inspired 68 million people".

Tony Estanguet, president of the 2024 organising committee, speaking to the athletes, says: "We knew you would be brilliant but you have been magic.

"We are so proud of you, bravo to all of you.

"We are all in love with the Games, the 19 days have passed so quickly and these 19 days will always stay with us.

"The same venues in two and a half weeks time, 4,500 athletes are ready. I invite you on 28th August to the best return match of your lives, be there at the Paralympics 2024."

Tony Estanguet reminds us that the Paralympics are still to come.

It's a pretty easy audience for the president of Paris 2024 to address.

France finished fifth in the medal table, with 16 gold, 26 silver and 22 bronze for an overall tally of 64.

Imagine if they'd flopped.

We're hearing from Tony Estanguet at the moment.

He hails the records set at the Paris Games - attendances and... marriage proposals.

It is the city of love of course.

James FitzGerald
BBC News reporter at the Stade de France

Tony Estanguet's mere mention of the name of Léon Marchant is enough to drive the stadium's home crowd ballistic once again.

French fans here have already been treated to multiple montages of the swimmer's triumphs in the pool during the Games.

That up-tempo indie flourish from Phoenix was a tough act to follow - but Estanguet, the Paris 2024 chief, is getting quite the reception here.

Another big whoop when he lauds the French "wild supporters".

One of my all-time favourite Olympians is also on stage.

Cuba's Mijain Lopez, nicknamed El Terrible, has won five successive wrestling gold medals.

His first came in 2008 and he claimed his latest this month.

That's some achievement.

Nick, in Didcot

Image source, Getty Images

President of Paris 2024 Tony Estanguet and IOC president Thomas Bach are making their way on to the stage to deliver their speeches.

They are accompanied by six Olympic medallists - representing the five continents plus one member of the Refugee Olympic Team.

Cindy Ngamba, who resides in Bolton, is among them after becoming the first-ever medallist for the Refugee Olympic Team when she took boxing bronze.

Image source, Getty Images

Mark, Harrogate