Hollywood Glitz Meets Olympic Grandeur: 2024 Closing Ceremonies Light Up Paris and Tease Los Angeles 2028
The 2024 Olympic Closing Ceremonies were nothing short of a cinematic spectacle, blending star power with breathtaking stunts to cap off the Games in Paris on Sunday evening. The event featured performances by global icons Billie Eilish and Snoop Dogg from Los Angeles, while the band Phoenix electrified the crowd at the Stade de France. However, the most jaw-dropping moment came courtesy of Tom Cruise, who delivered an unforgettable stunt that bridged the conclusion of the Paris Games with the anticipation for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Cruise, embodying the action hero roles he’s famous for, made a dramatic entrance by rappelling down from the top of the 80,000-seat stadium. After landing on the field, he was swarmed by excited athletes. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, accompanied by Olympic legend Simone Biles, presented Cruise with the Olympic flag. In true Hollywood fashion, Cruise then revved up a motorcycle and appeared to zoom out of the stadium, only to reappear in a prerecorded video speeding through the streets of Paris.
The cinematic journey continued as Cruise took the flag from France to the United States, symbolizing the global unity of the Olympic Games. He ultimately skydived onto the iconic Hollywood sign, now adorned with Olympic rings. The flag was then passed to fellow Olympians, who sprinted through the streets of Los Angeles, ending the relay at Venice Beach.
The festivities continued with a star-studded concert featuring the Red Hot Chili Peppers performing their hit “Can’t Stop.” Billie Eilish serenaded the crowd with “Birds of a Feather” from a nearby lifeguard stand, while Snoop Dogg, a prominent figure throughout these Olympics, was joined by Dr. Dre for a robust set.
The ceremony unfolded on an abstract world map-shaped stage, a unique and intriguing design that evoked memories of the ’90s Nickelodeon show Guts with its Aggro Crag-like structure. The music was a blend of electronic beats, highlighted by tracks from the French house band Justice and M83’s “Midnight City.” The entire stadium erupted in song as Queen’s “We Are the Champions” echoed through the venue.
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach brought the evening to a close with a brief and heartfelt statement: “And that’s it!” signaling the end of an extraordinary Olympic Games and igniting the anticipation for an equally dazzling 2028 in Los Angeles.