Paris extinguished the Olympic flame with an elaborate closing ceremony Sunday — which featured an epic stunt from action hero Tom Cruise.
In a spectacular display of Hollywood grandeur, Cruise descended from the top of the French stadium to officially pass the Olympic torch onto Los Angeles.
The “Mission Impossible” actor was handed the Olympic flag and rode off with it on a motorcycle. In a dramatic pre-recorded video, the Academy Award-nominated star then rode through the streets of Paris and boarded a jet — which he then parachuted out of onto the Hollywood sign.
The action-packed handoff ended with skateboarder Jagger Eaton reaching a stage in Venice Beach, California, where the Red Hot Chili Peppers performed. Hit artists Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre also performed.
US swimming superstar Katie Ledecky and rower Nick Mead served as flag bearers in the closing ceremony — as America came out on top in the Olympic medal count, with an impressive 126 medals, including 40 gold.
Ledecky had expressed a desire earlier during the ceremony to be able to compete in four years in her home country.
“I’d love to swim in 2028. I think swimming in front of the home crowd would be incredible. I’m gonna take it one year at a time,” she told NBC during the broadcast of the ceremony.
The swimming champion won two gold medals of her own – one in the Women’s 1500m Freestyle·Swimming and one in the women’s 800m Freestyle·Swimming. She also took home a bronze and silver.
Mead, meanwhile, helped Team USA win a gold medal in the men’s rowing.
“It’s been amazing. The French people … unbelievably generous,” he said during the NBC broadcast. “It’s really cool to meet all these other athletes after Tokyo not being able to mingle with all the other great athletes around the world. It’s been incredible.”
He added that he was “humbled and honored” to serve as the flag bearer alongside Ledecky, with the pair the last to enter the stadium.
“All the countries around us, we’re the last ones to walk in. That’s pretty special since we’re headed to LA next,” Ledecky said.
The closing ceremony was filled with extravagant flare and pageantry.
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A character known as the Golden Voyager rappeled from the roof of Stade de France and glided across the stage as part of the artistic vision of Thomas Jolly, the artist and stage director for the event.
A musical performance by the French rock band Phoenix turned the closing ceremony into a giant party for the Olympians and spectators, opening their act with the hit song “Lisztomania.”
Despite attempts by the organizers and security to clear the Olympians from the stage, many remained as the rockstars played.
Musical artists Angele, Justice, Kavinsky and Ezra Koenig also took the stage.
