The Paris 2024 Olympic closing ceremony took an unexpected turn when Tom Cruise made a dramatic appearance, abseiling from the roof of the Stade de France. The Hollywood actor's surprise entrance added a touch of cinematic flair to the event's handover to Los Angeles, host of the 2028 Games.
Dressed in his signature leather jacket, Cruise descended about 50 meters into the stadium while musician H.E.R. performed a guitar rendition of the U.S. national anthem. Upon landing, the actor was warmly greeted by a group of enthusiastic athletes.
Cruise's role in the ceremony continued as he received the Olympic flag from American gymnast Simone Biles before departing on a motorcycle. This segued into a pre-recorded sequence showing Cruise's journey from Paris to Los Angeles, where he unfurled the Olympic colors on the iconic Hollywood sign.
The star-studded event also featured performances by California artists, including the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Billie Eilish, and Snoop Dogg with Dr. Dre. These acts helped showcase the cultural vibrancy of the next host city.
As Paris bid "au revoir" to the 2024 Games, Cruise's appearance served as a symbolic bridge to Los Angeles 2028, blending Olympic tradition with Hollywood spectacle. The ceremony concluded a successful Olympic Games, with the United States topping the medal table following a victory in the women's basketball final.
* The BBC contributed to this report.