Tom Cruise, the famous Hollywood actor, stunned the crowd at the Paris 2024 Olympics closing ceremony on Sunday night. He made a dramatic entrance, descending from the roof of the Stade de France on a wire, wearing his signature leather jacket and gloves.
As the “Mission: Impossible” star lowered himself into the stadium, spectators couldn’t contain their excitement. The moment was made even more special by a live guitar performance from singer H.E.R.
The closing ceremony also marked the official handover of the Olympics to Los Angeles, the host city for 2028. In a pre-recorded video, Cruise was seen traveling through Paris before heading to the U.S., where he made his way to the iconic Hollywood sign and unfurled the Olympic flag. The ceremony ended with Paris bidding a heartfelt farewell as this year’s host city.
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach praised the Paris Games, calling them “sensational.” In his closing remarks, he lauded the athletes for their “simply amazing” performances, highlighting how they embodied the spirit of peace and unity throughout the event. “You inspired us all and made us believe in a better world,” Bach said.
During the ceremony, Cruise also took the Olympic flag from American gymnast Simone Biles, a star of the Paris Games. The crowd then watched in awe as Cruise rode away on a motorbike.
The pre-recorded video of his journey to Los Angeles was accompanied by music from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who later performed live on a beach in LA. Other performers included Billie Eilish and Snoop Dogg, who shared the stage with Dr. Dre.
Cruise is known for doing his own stunts in movies like “Top Gun” and “Mission: Impossible.” His daring descent at the closing ceremony was a fitting end to an Olympics filled with unforgettable moments.
Rumors of Cruise’s role had been circulating for days before he was finally spotted at the stadium on Sunday night. Throughout the Games, the 62-year-old actor was seen cheering for the U.S. team and watching athletes like Simone Biles compete.
Artistic director Thomas Jolly, who also orchestrated the opening ceremony on the River Seine, added another cinematic touch to the closing event. A darkened stadium watched as dancers rolled five giant rings across the stage, forming the Olympic logo. The atmosphere was then lifted by a lively performance from the French band Phoenix, surrounded by jubilant athletes.
The Paris 2024 Olympics ended on a high note, with the U.S. topping the medals table after a thrilling final event, the women’s basketball final. As the world now turns its attention to Los Angeles, the memories of Paris will surely linger.
