The 2024 Paris Olympics came to a spectacular close on Sunday, when Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise made a dramatic “Mission: Impossible”-inspired entrance as he descended on a wire from the roof of the Stade de France.
As part of the handover of the games to Los Angeles, the city that will host the 2028 Summer Olympics, Cruise appeared in a pre-recorded film journeying through Paris before heading to the United States.
The film featured Cruise passing the iconic Hollywood sign in L.A., giving the Paris Games a fitting send-off and ushering in anticipation for the next games to be held in the U.S.
In addition to Cruise’s entrance, the ceremony featured dazzling performances by Swiss musician Alain Roche, who performed “Hymn to Apollo” while floating mid-air, playing a vertically suspended piano, and French singer Yseult who delivered a powerful rendition of “My Way,” symbolizing the deep ties between France and the USA.
At the closing ceremony, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach noted the important role of sports in fostering peace during times of conflict. His speech was met with loud cheers from the more than 70,000 spectators in France’s largest stadium.