Mission Olympics: Tom Cruise set to star in closing ceremony
By Helen Pitt
Mission Impossible star Tom Cruise is reported to be set to star in the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics, to hand the flag on to 2028 games host Los Angeles.
Cruise, who lives much of the year in LA’s Beverly Hills, has filmed stunts in both cities as part of a pre-taped segment for the ceremony on Sunday, August 11, according to TMZ.
Tom Cruise at the Artistic Gymnastics qualification on day two of the Olympic Games at Bercy Arena.Credit: Getty Images
The plan for the closing ceremony reported by the celebrity news site involves the action star rappelling down from the top of Stade de France onto the stadium field and carrying the official Olympic flag.
The TV broadcast will then cut to a pre-recorded stunt involving the 62-year-old star skydiving down the Hollywood sign, after he’s shown flying in a plane with the Olympic flag from France to the United States.
The segment involving LA’s iconic backdrop is believed to have been filmed in March this year.
Tom Cruise in his various Mission Impossible roles.
He is expected to pass the flag to other Olympians - reportedly including a cyclist, skateboarder and volleyball player - as they make their way around the next host city for the Summer Games.
Cruise is already in Paris at the Olympics and was spotted in the crowd cheering on compatriot Simone Biles as the gymnast won another gold medal.
He also attended the swimming last Saturday, during the opening weekend of the Games.
The Top Gun: Maverick star has attended several Olympics, including Sydney 2000 with his then-wife Nicole Kidman.
In 1984, a year after his breakthrough role in Risky Business, Cruise carried the torch through the streets of LA. The first of his Top Gun films was released two years later in 1986.
Kidman has also been attending this year’s games with her husband Keith Urban. Other celebrities at the event in Paris include singers Lady Gaga, Mick Jagger, Ariana Grande and John Legend, as well as rapper Snoop Dogg, who is there as a special correspondent for US broadcaster NBC.
Cruise attended the swimming at the Games last Saturday.Credit: AP
Cruise is said to have instigated the idea for his involvement with the International Olympic Committee.
Further details are yet to be confirmed but LA Mayor Karen Bass will receive the Olympic flag from Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo at next Sunday’s ceremony.
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