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Tom Cruise’s rumored stunt and a “dystopian” theme promise a memorable handover from Paris to LA as the 2024 Olympics draw to a close on Sunday.
The Paris Olympics will conclude with what promises to be a spectacular closing ceremony at the Stade de France on Sunday evening. In contrast to the unprecedented complexity and joyful tone of the opening ceremony along the River Seine two weeks ago, artistic director Thomas Jolly has hinted at combining elements of “wonder” with a darker, more “dystopian” atmosphere.
One of the most anticipated moments is a widely rumored stunt by Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise. The actor, known for his daring feats, has been spotted at several Olympic events and is expected to play a key role in the ceremonial passing of the Olympic flag to representatives of Los Angeles, host of the 2028 Summer Games.
US media reports suggest that Cruise has been preparing to execute a spectacular aerial maneuver, possibly from the roof of the stadium, to transfer the flag. Video sequences for the stunt have allegedly been filmed on both sides of the Atlantic.
Jolly has revealed that the ceremony will feature a sequence with “travellers from another space-time” who arrive on Earth and discover remnants of Olympic history. Acrobats will then work to symbolically restore the iconic five rings of the Olympic symbol. Over 100 dancers, circus performers, and other artists are set to take part, with grand sets, lighting, and aerial displays promised.
While shorter in duration than the opening ceremony, Sunday’s closer is still expected to feature some major star power beyond Cruise. Musicians Air and Phoenix, two of France’s most successful exports, are reportedly lined up to perform. There are also unconfirmed rumors that singer Beyonce, who has been a vocal supporter of Team USA on social media during the Games, may make an appearance.
Many other celebrities have been in attendance at Paris 2024, including Snoop Dogg, Eva Mendes, Ryan Gosling, and Sharon Stone, fueling speculation about additional surprise cameos during the handover spectacle.
Organizers will undoubtedly be hoping to avoid the controversies that followed the opening ceremony. A sequence featuring drag queens was interpreted by some Christian and conservative commentators as mocking the Biblical Last Supper, although officials insisted it was meant to reference Greek mythology. The resulting backlash led to the social media harassment of Jolly and others involved in the ceremony, prompting police investigations and a rebuke from French President Emmanuel Macron.
Regardless of the specifics, Sunday’s closing ceremony seems poised to provide a fittingly grand finale to Paris 2024 while setting the stage for the Olympic movement’s Hollywood-tinged future in Los Angeles. With an intriguing mix of “wonder and dystopia” on tap, it will mark the end of an Olympics that has aimed to both honor the past and imagine what lies ahead.
With AFP
