An anticipated highlight of Sunday’s Paris Olympics closing ceremony may involve Tom Cruise showcasing a death-defying stunt on the roof of the Stade de France. This event promises to be a remarkable transfer of the five rings flag to Los Angeles.
Two weeks following the intricate opening ceremony by the River Seine, there are high hopes for the closure of the Games.
The closing ceremony, being a more conventional affair, will be held at France’s national stadium.
The artistic director, Thomas Jolly, has unveiled plans for a blend of “wonder” and “dystopia” in the show, hinting at a departure from the joyful and audacious style of the opening ceremony, which captivated a record global viewership of over a billion.
During a recent preview for journalists, Jolly shared his vision of the Games as a “fragile monument” and sought to explore what the future might hold if they were to disappear and be reconstructed in a distant era.
One segment will depict “travellers from another space-time arriving on Earth and encountering remnants from the Olympic history,” with acrobats reconstructing the iconic five Olympic rings.
The spectacle is said to involve more than 100 dancers, circus performers, and other artists, promising aerial acrobatics, grand stage sets, and dazzling lighting.
– Destination Hollywood –
The opening ceremony featured renowned personalities like Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, and Aya Nakamura. The closing ceremony is also expected to attract notable celebrities.
Cruise, a frequent attendee at Olympic events, stands out as a potential link between Paris and the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Games as one of Hollywood’s boldest stars.
American media reports suggest that Cruise has been gearing up for a grand stunt to receive the Olympic flag and carry it over to LA, with filming already underway on both sides of the Atlantic.
Various Hollywood stars, including Snoop Dogg, Eva Mendes, Ryan Gosling, and Sharon Stone, have been spotted at the Games and might also have roles to play.
There are unconfirmed speculations about Beyonce, a vocal supporter of the US team on social media, potentially making a performance appearance.
Additionally, two of France’s notable musical exports, Air and Phoenix, are reportedly lined up to perform as per Le Parisien newspaper.
Organizers are keen to avert a repetition of the controversy linked to the opening ceremony, which drew criticism for its portrayal of drag queens in a scene that some religious and conservative groups felt belittled the Biblical account of The Last Supper.
While organizers maintained it was a nod to Greek mythology, social media backlash led to investigations and condemnation from French President Emmanuel Macron towards Jolly and his team.
AFP