Tom Cruise Hands Paris Olympics Off to Los Angeles in Cross-Country, Skydiving Stunt at Closing Ceremony

Tom Cruise has embarked on a bit of a risky business to close the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The actor, long known for his own stunts, helped end the Paris Olympics and hand things over to Los Angeles for the 2028 Games with a skydive in which he swung from the top of the Stade de France before touching down on the stadium’s pitch.

The Mission Impossible — Dead Reckoning, Part One star, 62, greeted the athletes as he walked towards the stage, accompanied by a shrill guitar thanks to HER, who had just sung the US national anthem.

He received the Olympic flag from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and gymnast Simone Biles, then strapped it securely to the back of his motorcycle and rode off into the sunset — or at least into the pre-recorded video that accompanied his trip to Hollywood.

In the video, Cruise sped through the streets of Paris on a motorcycle, passing landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, and boarded a waiting plane.

“I’m on my way,” he said as he donned his jump gear to the tune of “By the Way” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Tom Cruise.

Steph Chambers/Getty Images

Cruise then jumped off the plane and headed to the iconic Hollywood sign, where he turned the letters “O” into the Olympic rings before handing the flag to Olympic cyclist Kate Courtney.

Courtney then cruised through Los Angeles with the help of Olympians Michael Johnson and Jagger Eaton, and stopped at the Red Hot Chili Peppers concert at Venice Beach, which also included performances by Billie Eilish and Snoop Dogg.

Cruise has long been a fan and supporter of the Olympic Games, and in 2004 he carried the Olympic Torch at Dodger Stadium as part of the LA portion of the Olympic Torch Relay.

He was present in Paris for various events, including some swimming events on July 27, the women’s gymnastics qualifiers on July 28 and the women’s soccer gold medal game on August 10, where the USA won against Brazil.

Tom Cruise.

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Tom Cruise to perform stunt during Paris Olympics closing ceremony as broadcast to 2028 Games in LA

Team USA’s flag bearers at the closing ceremony are swimmer Katie Ledecky and rower Nick Mead, who both go home with gold medals.

“To share this privilege with Katie makes it even more special,” Mead said in a statement. “My experience at the Paris Games was the dream of a lifetime and I am filled with immense pride, gratitude and joy. I also want to thank the city of Paris and all of France for hosting an incredible Games. I will cherish these memories forever.”

Tom Cruise watches gymnastics on July 28.

Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty

“I am so proud of this team’s accomplishments in Paris,” Ledecky said. “AND [I’m] excited to celebrate with my teammates on Sunday.”

To find out more about all the Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, come to people.com and check out the live coverage before, during and after the games. And sign up for Going for Gold, our Olympic newsletter, to deliver the biggest stories from the Games straight to your inbox. Watch the Paris Olympics and Paralympics starting July 26 on NBC and Peacock.

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Source: HIS Education