Paris Bids Adieu to the Olympics, as Los Angeles Turns to Tom Cruise for 2028

SAINT-DENIS, France — The French capital has handed over hosting duties for the Summer Games to the next city in line: Los Angeles in 2028.

Los Angeles rolled out a star-studded show with skydiving Tom Cruise and Grammy winner Billie Eilish, signaling their intentions for 2028. Their presentation marked the conclusion of Paris’ exhilarating 2024 Olympics, filled with unforgettable moments.

The closing ceremony was a blend of joy and a call for peace from IOC President Thomas Bach. Paris, which made stunning use of its landmarks, now sets the stage for Los Angeles to impress.

Tom Cruise, dressed as Ethan Hunt, descended from the stadium’s top, took the Olympic flag from gymnast Simone Biles, and exited dramatically on a motorcycle. This acted as a prelude to what LA promises to bring in 2028.

Despite LA’s preview, it was Paris’ night to shine one last time. The Eiffel Tower and other monuments had become iconic backdrops for the Games. This visually spectacular element will be hard to top.

During the ceremony, Bach appealed for a “culture of peace.” He emphasized that while the Olympics cannot create peace, they can inspire it globally. This sentiment was followed by a grand show featuring Cruise once again.

In a video segment, Cruise showcased LA’s landmarks, hinting at the cinematic experiences to come in 2028. Athletes present celebrated this artistic spectacle with enthusiasm, dancing and cheering as fireworks lit up the sky.

The energy was contagious. Crowds surged the stage at one point, creating an impromptu mosh pit around French pop-rock band Phoenix. Security had to intervene to restore order.

Performances by California natives like Eilish, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Snoop Dogg, and Dr. Dre brought the LA vibe to France, maintaining the celebratory mood.

A key moment featured French swimmer Léon Marchand collecting and extinguishing the Olympic flame, marking the end of the Games. Bach then officially invited the world’s youth to Los Angeles in four years.

Athletes from 205 countries paraded their flags, symbolizing global unity. This was a stark contrast to the pandemic-hit Tokyo Games of 2021.

France’s national stadium, a site of past tragedy, now symbolized joy as the country won 64 medals. The closing saw medals awarded to female marathon winners, a nod to gender parity. Paris had aimed to spotlight women’s achievements, fittingly as the city where women first competed in 1900.

The US topped the medal tally with 126 medals, including 40 golds. Simone Biles’ return to the podium emphasized her journey of mental health and resilience since Tokyo 2021.

The closing ceremony, with its space-age and Olympic themes, celebrated symbols like Greece’s flag and the Olympic rings. Paris bid farewell with lights shimmering like fireflies, setting a high bar for Los Angeles to match in 2028.