PIC OF BUNCH
Watch Olympics chief Thomas Bach’s ‘dad joke’ leave ‘75,000 people recoiling in unison’ at Paris 2024 closing ceremony
Even a commentator on live TV could be heard reacting to awful joke
OLYMPICS chief Thomas Bach left 75,000 people “recoiling in unison” with a “dad joke” about the River Seine during last night’s Paris 2024 closing ceremony.
Athletics fans bid farewell to the Paris Games on Sunday after a fortnight of spectacular sport.
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A high-octane event saw the United States come out on top in the medal table, with China and Japan completing the top three.
Great Britain finished seventh despite picking up one more medals than their last outing at Tokyo 2020.
And supporters doffed their caps to a memorable summer at last night’s marathon closing ceremony in the French capital.
But there was one moment in the three-hour event that left the crowd grimacing, as Olympics chief Bach delivered his post-Games speech.
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In a groan-inducing moment, he joked that the past fortnight had been “Seine-sational” — a reference to Paris’ infamously polluted river.
Bach declared: "Or, dare I say, Seine-sational Games."
Even BBC commentator Andrew Cotter delivered an audible “ugh” on live TV as the audience in the stadium also sighed.
And one fan online claimed all 75,000 members of the crowd had “recoiled in unison" at Bach's unfunny quip.
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Another declared: “Never has more disdain been expressed in so short and utterance.”
One noted: “Andrew Cotter was all of us.”
Closing ceremony sees Tom Cruise make show-stopping appearance as the Games handed over to Hollywood
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Another added: “Goes down in the dad jokes anthology.”
Swimming in the Seine has been an unpleasant experience for many athletes this summer.
High levels of pollution saw the men’s triathlon postponed during the first week.
And several stars have since revealed they suffered from vomiting and diarrhoea after finally plunging into the murky waters.
As for last night's closing ceremony, there were plenty of memorable moments to round off the Paris Games.
Hollywood star Tom Cruise jumped off the roof of the Stade de France in a daring stunt as the Olympic torch was handed over to Los Angeles for 2028.
Stars including Billie Eilish, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Snoop Dogg also performed live music.
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And athletes from around the world gathered to wave their flags for one last time.
Team GB was represented by Alex Yee and Bryony Page, who who respectively won gold in the men’s triathlon and women’s trampoline.
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