Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise delivered a jaw-dropping performance at the closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics on Sunday night, rappelling down from the Stade de France roof.
The crowd erupted in cheers as the “Mission: Impossible” actor, clad in a leather jacket and gloves, descended into the stadium while his compatriot H.E.R. provided a guitar-driven soundtrack.
The daring stunt marked the handover to Los Angeles, the host city of the 2028 Olympics. In a pre-recorded segment, Cruise embarked on a journey through Paris before jetting to the United States, where he unfurled the Olympic flag at the iconic Hollywood sign.
International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach hailed the Paris Games as “sensational,” praising athletes for their “simply amazing” performances.
“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,” Bach said in his closing speech. “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.”
Following his descent, Cruise accepted the Olympic flag from American gymnastics superstar Simone Biles before speeding off on a motorcycle. The pre-recorded sequence leading to Los Angeles featured a soundtrack by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who later delivered a live performance of their classic “Can’t Stop” on a Californian beach.
Other musical highlights included Billie Eilish and a collaboration between Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre. The latter, a Los Angeles native, was a frequent presence at the Games, which concluded with the United States topping the medal table.
Known for his death-defying stunts, Cruise has previously scaled the Burj Khalifa in Dubai and dangled from a plane during filming for the “Mission: Impossible” franchise.
Artistic director Thomas Jolly complemented Cruise’s performance with a cinematic segment featuring dancers assembling the Olympic rings. The mood shifted with an energetic performance by French band Phoenix, joined by enthusiastic athletes.
Cruise’s involvement had been widely speculated upon, with the actor spotted cheering on the US team at several events.
“It’s awesome,” he told Reuters. “Great stories, great athletes. It’s incredible what they do.”
Jolly was also responsible for the opening ceremony, a spectacular event featuring a parade of boats on the River Seine and a comeback performance by Celine Dion.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
