2024 Paris Olympics: Tom Cruise to skydive for closing ceremony
What's the story
Tom Cruise, renowned for his roles in Top Gun: Maverick and Mission: Impossible, is reportedly planning a significant stunt for the 2024 Paris Olympics Closing Ceremony. Per Deadline, the 62-year-old Hollywood icon will make a dramatic entrance during the handover of the Olympic flag to Los Angeles—the host city for 2028. The actor's daring act involves rappelling down from the top of Stade de France and carrying the official Olympic flag onto the stadium field.
Stunt details
Cruise may employ a stunt double for the task!
Sources suggest that due to his age, Cruise may employ a stunt double for the rappelling part of his act. The actor's journey from Paris to Los Angeles will be televised as part of the Closing Ceremony. A pre-recorded segment, initially taped in March, will reportedly show Cruise flying with the Olympic flag from France to Los Angeles. Upon arrival in LA, he is expected to skydive to the Hollywood sign.
Ceremony highlights
Event is scheduled for August 11
Cruise, who was seen cheering on American gymnast Simone Biles at the Paris Olympics, is expected to play a significant role in the Closing Ceremony. While specific details remain under wraps, sources indicate that audiences can "expect a major Hollywood production." The Olympic flag will be handed over from Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo to LA Mayor Karen Bass during the ceremony. The event is scheduled for August 11, with NBC broadcasting it live.
Ceremony broadcast
2024 Paris Olympics closing ceremony hosts and viewership
The 2024 Paris Olympics Closing Ceremony will be co-hosted by Mike Tirico and Jimmy Fallon on NBC, alongside NBC Sports's Terry Gannon and former Team USA Olympians Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski. The Opening Ceremony, which featured Steven Spielberg, Lady Gaga, and Celine Dion, among others, attracted nearly 29M viewers according to Nielsen and Adobe Analytics. This marked an increase of over 60% from the COVID-19 pandemic-delayed 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
Future games
2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles
The 2028 Summer Olympics are set to take place in LA from July 14 to 30. The city, which previously hosted the Games in 1932 and 1984, will likely inaugurate the Games of the XXXIV Olympiad at a venue built for the 1932 event: the Coliseum. This venue is part of what LA28 organizers are calling the Downtown Sports Park, a collection of venues that includes Crypto.com Arena, Convention Center, L.A. Football Club Stadium, USC's Galen Center and Peacock Theater.