Simone Biles wasn't among the Team USA members who walked in the Closing Ceremony procession. That's because the gymnastics star had a different role to play as the 2024 Paris Olympics came to a close on Aug. 11: helping Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass kick off the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
During the event, which saw France pay tribute to Olympics history and the top women's marathon runners become the final 2024 Paris athletes to be awarded their medals, Simone and Karen took the stage alongside Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo and President of the Paris Organising Committee Tony Estanguet to receive the Olympic flag. However, Simone's role was just the beginning of the LA28 kickoff as H.E.
R .'s National Anthem performance ended with Tom Cruise leap into the Stade de France , where the ceremony was taking place, and take the flag and chaperone it to its new home in Los Angeles. the Red Hot Chili Peppers , Billie Eilish , Snoop Dogg and Dr.
Dre further welcomed the Olympics to L.A . before an emotional finale in Paris.
Of course, Simone's special appearance at the 2024 Paris Olympics Closing Ceremony comes amid controversy in Olympic gymnastics. On Aug. 10, the Court of Arbitration for Sport reversed the inquiry that led to Simone's teammate Jordan Chiles earning the bronze medal in the floor routine , saying Jordan's coach Cecile Landi didn't submit her appeal withing the one minute parameter—instead lodging it at one minute and four seconds—leading to the International Gymnastic.