Tom Cruise captivated audiences during the closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics on Sunday night by making a dramatic entrance from the roof of the Stade de France. The Hollywood star lowered himself on a wire, donning a leather jacket and gloves, as musician H.E.R. performed. In a pre-recorded segment, Cruise traveled from Paris to Los Angeles, unveiling the Olympic colors at the iconic Hollywood sign to signify the handover to the city hosting the next Summer Games in 2028.
In his closing remarks, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach praised the Paris Games as “sensational,” commending the athletes for their extraordinary performances. He highlighted the spirit of unity that emerged from the Olympic Village, where athletes from diverse backgrounds cohabited peacefully, even against the backdrop of global conflicts. Bach expressed gratitude to the athletes for inspiring dreams of a better world.
Cruise’s thrilling display coincided with H.E.R.’s performance, which included a rendition of the U.S. national anthem. Following this, he received the Olympic flag from American gymnast Simone Biles and made his exit on a motorbike, much to the audience’s delight.
Accompanying Cruise’s journey to Los Angeles was a soundtrack by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who later performed their hit song “Can’t Stop” on a beach in the city. Other notable performances included Billie Eilish and a collaboration between Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre, celebrating the conclusion of the Games, where the U.S. team triumphed by leading the medal count.
Cruise, famous for his own stunts in movies such as Top Gun and the Mission: Impossible series, has made headlines over the past two weeks for his visible support of Team USA. Artistic director Thomas Jolly added to the ceremony’s cinematic feeling with a segment featuring dancers rolling five giant rings to form the Olympic logo, culminating in an energetic performance by French band Phoenix. The ceremony marked a vibrant farewell to the Paris Games, which had achieved a successful run.