- With one stunt, he passes to Los Angeles
Rumors had been circulating for some time, and just before midnight, they became a reality: At the closing ceremony in Paris on Sunday evening (11th August), Hollywood star Tom Cruise (62) handed over the Olympic Games to the next host, Los Angeles, with a stunt. The actor, known for performing his own film stunts, jumped from the Stade de France, secured by a rope, snatched the Olympic flag from Mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass (70), and gymnastics star Simone Biles (27), and then sped out of the stadium on a motorcycle.
Off to Hollywood
The audience then watched a pre-recorded video showing the flag's journey through the streets of Paris, past landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, to a waiting airplane. "I'm on my way," said Cruise, as he put on his parachuting gear to the sounds of "By the Way" by US band Red Hot Chili Peppers, over California.
Cruise then jumped out of the plane and headed towards the iconic Hollywood sign, where he transformed the "O"s into Olympic rings before passing the flag to Olympic cyclist Kate Courtney (28). Courtney, with the help of Olympians Michael Johnson (56) and Jagger Eaton (23), rode through Los Angeles to a Red Hot Chili Peppers concert at Venice Beach, where US stars Billie Eilish (22) and Snoop Dogg (52) also performed.
Tom Cruise's Olympic history
Cruise has been a fan and supporter of the Olympic Games for a long time and carried the Olympic torch in the Dodger Stadium during the Los Angeles part of the Olympic torch relay in 2004. He was also present at various events of the recent Games in Paris, including some swimming competitions on 27th July, the women's gymnastics qualification round on 28th July, and the women's football gold medal match on 10th August, where the USA won against Brazil.
The Olympic Games will be held in Los Angeles from 14th to 30th July 2028, for the third time after 1932 and 1984.
The pre-recorded video showcasing the Olympic flag's journey concluded at a waiting airplane in California, with Cruise declaring, "I'm on my way," ready to carry the flag to Los Angeles.
During the upcoming Olympic Games in Los Angeles from 2028, celebrities like Billie Eilish and Snoop Dogg are expected to perform, just as they did at the pre-handover ceremony in Venice Beach.
