Arizona’s Jagger Eaton Escorts Olympic Flag to LA 2028

Jagger Eaton, a two-time Olympic medalist in skateboarding, received the Olympic flag from iconic American sprinter Michael Johnson during the Paris Olympics’ closing ceremonies.

LOS ANGELES — The countdown to Los Angeles hosting the 2028 Summer Olympics has officially begun.

At the closing ceremonies in Stade de France, Tony Estanguet, president of the Paris 2024 organizing committee, initiated the symbolic handover of the Olympic flag. It was passed to International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, who then handed it to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.

Mayor Bass subsequently passed the flag to Simone Biles, the famed American gymnast with seven gold medals. Adding a dramatic flair to the proceedings, action star Tom Cruise rappelled into the stadium, collected the flag from Biles, and drove off on a motorcycle.

The ceremony then transitioned to a pre-recorded segment, featuring Cruise taking the flag on a plane trip to the Hollywood sign, modifying it to spell out “Olympic” with the iconic rings. Next, mountain biker Kate Courtney took possession of the flag, riding to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and transferring it to Michael Johnson.

Johnson then ran through the city streets, finally passing the flag to Jagger Eaton, who escorted it to Venice Beach. The broadcast resumed live, showcasing a concert with performances by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg, and Dr. Dre.

Eaton’s Olympic journey includes a bronze medal in men’s street skateboarding during the Tokyo 2021 Olympics and a silver medal at the Paris Games. As an ambassador for American skateboarding, Eaton’s involvement symbolizes the sport’s cultural roots in California.

Social media was aflame with reactions to the creative flag handover. Many users praised the unique transition and star-studded event, sharing their excitement on various platforms.

Among the closing ceremony highlights, former Arizona State University swimmer Léon Marchand, representing France, was chosen to extinguish the Olympic flame and transported it from the Tuileries Gardens to Stade de France.

Los Angeles now gears up for the 2028 Summer Olympics, set from July 14-30. The city aims to showcase its rich sports culture, supported by premier venues and globally recognized events.

The 2028 Games will add to Phoenix’s robust sports scene, home to teams like the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, NBA’s Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks, and USL’s Phoenix Rising FC. The region regularly hosts major events, from the Fiesta Bowl to the PGA Tour’s WM Phoenix Open and NASCAR’s Championship Weekend.

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