The Olympics closing ceremonies have always served as a nice sendoff for one of the world’s biggest sporting events. However, this year’s formalities had something extra special on display as well: Tom Cruise.
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Earlier this week, it was reported that the legendary actor and stuntman would be performing an “epic stunt” as part of the closing ceremonies.
According to reports, Cruise would rappel into Paris’ Stade de France, during the closing ceremonies. That would be followed by a pre-recorded video of Cruise skydiving onto the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles. That report is accurate now in hindsight.
Cruise, 62, is known for taking stunts to the next level, and given that Los Angeles will be hosting the 2028 Olympics, it was assumed that someone representing the city would be in attendance to take the Olympic flag, as is tradition. Here’s how the stunt went down live.
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Cruise’s stunt
IT’S A BIRD. IT’S A PLANE. IT’S TOM CRUISE! 🤯#ParisOlympics | #ClosingCeremony pic.twitter.com/5v4j8pOwBF
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 11, 2024
Tom Cruise flew into the Olympics closing ceremony 😎 pic.twitter.com/iGxYnZI3jy
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 11, 2024
The 62-year-old rappelled down from the top of the Stade de France, greeting Olympians after landing safely.
We then witnessed a surprise appearance from Simone Biles at the closing ceremony, playing a part in the passing of the Olympic flag from Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
The two gave the Olympic flag to Cruise who rode a motorcycle in a pre-filmed sequence that ended with the actor soaring above Los Angeles in a skydiving stunt.
Internet reacts to Cruise’s stunt
Tom Cruise did it again.. didn’t he? pic.twitter.com/XPTW8hhAxM
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 11, 2024
One thing about America is that they know how to put on a show. I’m excited for the LA 2028 Olympics. Also no matter what you might think of Tom Cruise, his star power and talent can’t be denied #ClosingCeremony pic.twitter.com/zx9t6DQNOE
— Emi Eleode (@EmiEleode) August 11, 2024
How’d that lady almost make out with Tom Cruise on international TV 😂#ClosingCeremony pic.twitter.com/IxtmIUPdcA
— Georgia Rose 🇿🇦 🍉 (@Rasheeda_S) August 11, 2024
Okay LA, we’re off to a good start pic.twitter.com/oVASURnrPJ
— J.A. Adande (@jadande) August 11, 2024
Has Cruise done anything like this before?
Yes, actually.
In 2004, Cruise participated in the Olympics‘ opening ceremonies, helping carry the Olympic torch through Los Angeles as it made its way around the world before resting in Athens, Greece, where the games were taking place that year.
And speaking of the #Olympics, let’s go with this one of #TomCruise running with the Olympic torch in his hand in 2004, Athens @TomCruise @BigCityKnight #sfankhauser pic.twitter.com/qeHypR5O23
— ƧΛПDY F 😎 (@SandyFankhause4) July 27, 2024
Thomas Schad contributed to this report
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Watch Tom Cruise bring Olympics from Paris to Los Angeles
