The Olympics closing ceremonies have always provided a memorable conclusion to one of the world’s premier sporting events. This year, however, the event featured an extraordinary highlight: Tom Cruise.
Earlier in the week, it was announced that the iconic actor and stuntman would perform an “epic stunt” during the closing festivities. Reports indicated that Cruise would rappel into the Stade de France in Paris, followed by a pre-recorded video of him skydiving onto the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles. As it turns out, these reports were spot on.
At 62, Cruise is renowned for pushing the boundaries with his stunts, and with Los Angeles set to host the 2028 Olympics, it was expected that a representative from the city would be part of the closing ceremony to accept the Olympic flag. Here’s how Cruise’s dramatic stunt unfolded:
Cruise began by rappelling from the top of the Stade de France, making a safe landing and greeting Olympians. The ceremony then featured a surprise appearance by Simone Biles, who played a key role in the handoff of the Olympic flag from Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
The flag was then passed to Cruise, who, in a pre-filmed segment, rode a motorcycle, sped away from the French stadium, and appeared in a video sequence that showed him flying over Los Angeles in a skydiving stunt.
How the Internet Reacted to Cruise’s Stunt
Tom Cruise’s involvement in the Olympics has a notable history. Back in 2004, he participated in the opening ceremonies of the Athens Games, where he carried the Olympic torch through Los Angeles as it journeyed around the world before arriving in Greece.