The Olympics closing ceremonies have always served as a nice sendoff for one of the world’s biggest sporting events. However, this year’s formalities had something extra special on display as well: Tom Cruise.
Earlier this week, it was reported that the legendary actor and stuntman would be performing an ‘epic stunt’ as part of the closing ceremonies.
According to reports, Cruise would rappel into Paris’ Stade de France, during the closing ceremonies. That would be followed by a pre-recorded video of Cruise skydiving onto the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles. That report is accurate now in hindsight.
Cruise, 62, is known for taking stunts to the next level, and given that Los Angeles will be hosting the 2028 Olympics, it was assumed that someone representing the city would be in attendance to take the Olympic flag, as is tradition. Here’s how the stunt went down live.
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Cruise’s stunt
The 62-year-old rappelled down from the top of the Stade de France, greeting Olympians after landing safely.
We then witnessed a surprise appearance from Simone Biles at the closing ceremony, playing a part in the passing of the Olympic flag from Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
The two gave the Olympic flag to Cruise who rode a motorcycle in a pre-filmed sequence that ended with the actor soaring above Los Angeles in a skydiving stunt.
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Has Cruise done anything like this before?
Yes, actually.
In 2004, Cruise participated in the Olympics’ opening ceremonies, helping carry the Olympic torch through Los Angeles as it made its way around the world before resting in Athens, Greece, where the games were taking place that year.
Thomas Schad contributed to this report
