The 2024 Olympic Games Closing Ceremony marked an epic farewell to the Paris Summer Olympics, with an impressive handover to the 2028 host city, Los Angeles.
The handover officially began with the presentation of the Olympic flag to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who then passed it on to GOAT gymnast Simone Biles.
With all due respect to Mayor Bass and Biles, if we’re being completely honest, it actually started with 62-year-old (!) Tom Cruise jumping off the roof of the Stade de France. Yes, he had a harness, but one of the biggest movie stars in the world (and we’re assuming he had a pretty big security team) pulled this crazy stunt on live television.
Friggin’ Maverick then walked through the crowd of athletes, retrieved the Olympic flag, hung it on the back of a motorcycle, and then drove back through the crowd of athletes. (Seriously, who else was afraid that some of the athletes wouldn’t get out of the way in time, leading to a very unfortunate moment?)
Then there’s a pre-recorded vignette of Cole Trickle riding his motorcycle through Paris and eventually to a waiting plane that will take him to the host city of 2028, Los Angeles. Ethan Hunt then, of course, jumps out of a plane, lands on the ground, and presents the Olympic flag. Of course, Jerry Maguire made some changes to the iconic Hollywood sign along the way, adding three O’s above the two O’s in “Hollywood” to make them look like the Olympic rings. Honestly, that was a nice touch. Bravo, Jack Reacher! Even in the face of all the Scientology stuff, you still manage to be cool.
Mind you, the above vignette was beautifully accompanied by an edited/looped version of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “By the Way.” This song accompanied the Olympic flag as it made its way through Los Angeles until it reached the beach, where the Chili Peppers performed “Can’t Stop.”
Following their performance, Billie Eilish and Finneas sang “Birds of a Feather” from a lifeguard post next to the Chili Peppers’ stage.
Then Olympic mascot Snoop Dogg appeared and sang “Drop It Like It’s Hot.” After that, Dr. Dre made a surprise appearance and he and Snoop sang “The Next Episode.”
Paris seems to have set a new standard for the Olympic Games, especially with the presentation of the opening and closing ceremonies. In Los Angeles, the next Olympic Games are just under four years away. We hope they make it, because the Paris Games were truly special.
Erica Banas is a news blogger who has been covering the world of rock/classic rock since 2014. The coolest event she has ever covered in person was the 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. (Sir Paul McCartney inducting Foo Fighters? Come on!) She also knows etiquette and is exceptionally kind. #TransRightsAreHumanRights
