The Paris 2024 Olympics closing ceremony, set to take place this Sunday, promises to be a spectacular event, with Tom Cruise widely expected to perform a death-defying stunt on the roof of the Stade de France.
This highly anticipated ceremony will mark the passing of the five rings flag to Los Angeles, the host city for the 2028 Games.
The closing ceremony, which follows the unprecedented complexity of the opening ceremony along the River Seine, will be a shorter and more traditional affair at France’s national stadium. Expectations are high for the show, which aims to wrap up the Games on a memorable note.
Artistic director Thomas Jolly has hinted that the ceremony will blend “wonder” with “dystopia,” suggesting a shift from the joyful and irreverent tone of the opening ceremony that captivated a record audience of over a billion worldwide.
Jolly offered a sneak peek to journalists, describing the Games as a “fragile monument” and envisioning a scenario where they “disappeared and someone was rebuilding them in a distant future.”
One of the standout features of the Paris Games has been the Olympic cauldron, which takes off daily in the Jardin des Tuileries.
The closing ceremony will continue this tradition with a sequence featuring “travelers from another space-time” discovering remnants of Olympic history. Acrobats will play a key role in restoring the iconic five rings, promising a visually stunning performance.
The event will showcase more than 100 dancers, circus artists, and other performers, delivering aerial displays, giant sets, and spectacular lighting effects. The combination of these elements is expected to create a mesmerizing experience for both the live audience and viewers worldwide.
The opening ceremony featured major stars such as Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, and Aya Nakamura, and Sunday’s event is set to attract more big names.
Tom Cruise, who has been spotted at several Olympic events, is reportedly preparing a spectacular stunt to symbolically transfer the Olympic flag to Los Angeles. US media sources indicate that video sequences have already been filmed on both sides of the Atlantic to enhance this dramatic moment.
In addition to Cruise, other Hollywood stars like Snoop Dogg, Eva Mendes, Ryan Gosling, and Sharon Stone have been seen at the Games and may play a role in the ceremony.
There are also unconfirmed rumors that Beyoncé, a vocal supporter of the US team on social media, might perform. French musical acts Air and Phoenix are confirmed to play, adding to the star-studded lineup.
Organizers will be keen to avoid controversy similar to that of the opening ceremony, which included a sequence featuring drag queens. This segment was criticized by some Christians and conservatives who felt it mocked the Biblical story of The Last Supper.
Organizers clarified that the reference was to Greek gods, but the incident led to social media harassment and police investigations, drawing condemnation from French President Emmanuel Macron.
With high-profile performances and dramatic stunts, the Paris Olympics closing ceremony is poised to deliver an unforgettable finale to the Games. All eyes will be on Tom Cruise and the dazzling display of artistry and athleticism that has characterized these Olympics.
