Will Tom Cruise perform a live stunt for the closing of the Olympics?

It's (almost) official: if Tom Cruise was present at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games on July 26th, he will not leave Paris before its end, as he will actively participate in the closing ceremony. This time, it will not be under the name of Maverick for a quick landing at Charles-De-Gaulle or as Ethan Hunt in a wild slalom on the boulevard de l'étoile that we will see the American actor on August 11th, but in his own role. Although few details have escaped the confidentiality clause signed by him, rumors abound that he will perform potential stunts including rappelling down the Stade de France to carry the Olympic flag after skydiving from the top of the Hollywood Sign. The least we can say is that "he is preparing something epic", as announced by the American channel TMZ. But why this unexpected (although the presence of Snoop Dogg, despite the fact that we appreciate his sympathy, made little sense) insertion of the American actor in such a symbolic ceremony for sport and France?

If we take a moment to think, we quickly realize that this choice is far from random and makes a lot of sense. It is no secret that the actor, originally from Syracuse, New York (despite his tanned complexion, he is indeed American, not Sicilian), perfectly embodies the American Dream, Hollywood blockbusters and Los Angeles. And it is precisely the latter that will be next to take up the Olympic torch and will host the Games in 2028. Who better than the darling of American cinema and the king of stunts to represent the passing of the baton between the City of Light and the City of Angels? Rumors, hypotheses, and the most outlandish ideas for this famous relay abound, naturally set to a background of secret agent music.

The actor was already spotted last April and photographed in detail riding his motorcycle with his hair blowing in the wind on the Bir-Hakeim bridge in Paris. It was naturally assumed that the actor was there for the filming of the next Mission Impossible, scheduled for 2025, but now nothing is certain. Doubts were definitely raised when last May, the stuntman was seen calmly climbing the Hollywood Sign and filming some very sporty scenes. Perhaps he was already in Paris a few months earlier to film a short video spot for the Los Angeles 2028 organizing committee? It would not be a first for Tom Cruise, who has already participated in Olympic ceremonies in the past in 2004, helping to carry the torch through Los Angeles as part of a worldwide relay before the Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. Although no official announcement has been made, the executive director of the Paris 2024 ceremonies, Thierry Reboul, has neither confirmed nor denied the potential presence of the actor at the ceremony on August 11th, responding simply with "If the people you mention are there, then we will be very happy." To be continued.