Hollywood icon Tom Cruise made a spectacular entrance at the Paris 2024 closing ceremony on Sunday night, descending from the roof of Stade de France on a wire.
The crowd cheered as the Mission: Impossible star, clad in a leather jacket and gloves, entered the stadium while H.E.R. performed on guitar.
A Cinematic Handover to Los Angeles
Cruise appeared in a pre-recorded video where he traveled through Paris to mark the handover to Los Angeles, the host city for the 2028 Olympics, and then to the iconic Hollywood sign, where he unfurled the Olympic colors. The ceremony served as a formal farewell from Paris.
Thank you, Paris! Now off to LA. pic.twitter.com/MxlAb0hZbT
Advertisement— Tom Cruise (@TomCruise) August 11, 2024
Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, described the Paris Games as “sensational” in his closing speech. He commended the athletes for their “simply amazing” performances, emphasizing their unity despite global conflicts. “You created a culture of peace,” he said, thanking them for inspiring millions worldwide.
Cruise’s thrilling descent coincided with H.E.R.’s electric guitar performance, which followed her rendition of the U.S. national anthem. He then took the Olympic flag from American gymnast Simone Biles before speeding away on a motorbike. The pre-recorded segment of his journey to Los Angeles featured music from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who later performed their hit “Can’t Stop” on a beach in California. Other performances included Billie Eilish and Snoop Dogg, who collaborated with Dr. Dre.
Cruise’s Stunt Legacy
Known for performing his stunts, Cruise has tackled daring feats, including scaling Dubai’s Burj Khalifa and hanging from a plane during takeoff for the Mission: Impossible series.
When one ceremony closes, the next begins. @TomCruise pic.twitter.com/rPS58Lwcxu
— LA28 (@LA28) August 11, 2024
Artistic director Thomas Jolly enhanced the ceremony’s cinematic feel with a segment featuring dancers rolling five giant rings across the stage to form the Olympic logo. The atmosphere shifted dramatically when French band Phoenix took the stage, performing two of their hits alongside athletes who joined them, much to the surprise of the stadium announcer.
Cruise’s participation had been one of Paris’s worst-kept secrets, with rumors circulating for days before he was spotted in the stadium on Sunday evening. The 62-year-old actor had been seen cheering for the U.S. team during various events, expressing his admiration for the athletes: “It’s awesome. Great stories, great athletes. It’s incredible what they do.”
The closing ceremony not only celebrated the achievements of the athletes but also marked a significant transition as the world looks forward to the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The event concluded with a sense of excitement and anticipation for the future of the Olympics.
Tom Cruise dives into Paris Olympics closing ceremony in jaw-dropping stunt#Olympic #OlympicGames #Olimpiadas2024 #OlimpiadasParis2024 #TomCruise pic.twitter.com/uiVVDNIBEY
— Cini Sports Entertainment (@cinisportent) August 12, 2024
