Tom Cruise was dramatically launched into the Stade de France to close the Paris Olympics and signify the hand-over from France to the Hollywood state of California. Los Angeles will host the 2028 Games and, after a closing ceremony celebrating the athletes and successful French hosting, the final part changed gear dramatically when it switched to the next destination for the summer Games. Cruise, who famously starred in Mission: Impossible, was left waiting on the top of the roof in a harness while clutching a wire as the official handover section of the ceremony began.
The Olympic flag was passed between the Mayors of Paris and Los Angeles, Anne Hidalgo and Karen Bass, before a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. The lights then turned red on the part of the stadium from which Cruise was waiting and, defying his 62 years, he abseiled down at speed with a landing that would have impressed even the watching Simone Biles. Cruise then ran through the crowds of athletes offering high fives before mounting a motorbike with a huge Olympig flag on the back.
Drawing somewhat on the idea of the iconic scene between James Bond and the Queen at the London Opening Ceremony, Cruise was then filmed riding past the Eiffel Tower before getting in an aircraft for LA. The Olympic rings were then added to the famous Hollywood sign. The flag was then passed between legendary athletes, including the 200m and 400m Olympic champion Michael Johnson, via the Coliseum Stadium that will host the at.