Tom Cruise stages Olympic flag transfer to LA for 2028 at Paris closing ceremony

Tom Cruise made a high-flying appearance at the Paris Olympics, transferring the flag to Los Angeles for 2028.

Tom Cruise made a memorable appearance at the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics on Sunday, 11 August, in true "Mission: Impossible" style. 

The actor stunned the audience by descending from the roof of the Stade de France, where the ceremony was held, to assist in the symbolic transfer of the Olympic flag from Paris to Los Angeles, the host city for the 2028 Games.

Cruise's daring stunt was a highlight of the evening, capturing the attention of the crowd at Stade de France. In a pre-recorded video, he was seen painting the Hollywood logo in the colours of the Olympic rings, before appearing live to take the Olympic flag on a motorcycle ride to the airport. 

“Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to bring the Olympic flag to Los Angeles.”

Tom Cruise: #Paris2024 #LA28 #ClosingCeremony pic.twitter.com/bLsZJTc0xy

— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) August 11, 2024

This dramatic sequence concluded with the flag's departure for Los Angeles, setting the stage for the next Olympic Games.

The closing ceremony itself was a grand spectacle, featuring a combination of rock bands, classical musicians, and a stunning light show that turned the Stade de France into a concert-like venue. 

Nearly 75,000 spectators watched as athletes marched into the stadium, receiving thunderous applause.

The ceremony, created by Thomas Jolly, opened with a musical performance paying tribute to Paris, with French singer Zaho de Sagazan performing "Sous le ciel de Paris." 

The event also included a torchbearer from the Louvre Museum, who carried the Olympic Flame to the Stade de France.

In Los Angeles, the flag was welcomed with performances by Billy Eilish, Snoop Dogg, and Jay-Z at a gathering on the LA beach. The event concluded with fireworks at Stade de France, emphasizing the lasting friendships forged during the Paris Games.