Hollywood is set to provide a glamorous conclusion to the Paris Olympics on Sunday with 14 gold medals up for grabs before the baton is passed to the 2028 hosts, Los Angeles.
Tom Cruise, currently filming the latest “Mission Impossible” installment in Europe, is expected to make a special appearance at the closing ceremony.
Reports suggest that Cruise will perform a thrilling stunt sequence to signify the transition of the Games from Paris to Los Angeles, which will involve the symbolic handover of the Olympic flag.
Cruise has been a familiar face at the Olympic events in Paris, having observed the United States women’s team claiming a fifth football gold medal on Saturday.
Other stars expected to grace the event include Billie Eilish and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who will perform from Los Angeles.
The closing ceremony at the Stade de France will be orchestrated by Thomas Jolly, the creative force behind the spectacular opening ceremony held on the River Seine.
“On August 11, the Olympic Games will conclude, and the Olympic flame will be extinguished,” stated Jolly.
“This moment will serve as a reminder of the significance of these Olympic Games.”
Before the final curtain falls, the women’s marathon will bring the 11-day athletics program to a close.
Sifan Hassan, the Ethiopian-born Dutch runner, seeks to add to her medal collection after securing bronze in the 5,000m and 10,000m events.
– ‘Kind of hell’ –
Now 31, Hassan is gearing up to endure the challenging yet picturesque marathon course from Paris to Versailles, culminating at Invalides in Paris.
“I’ve participated in various races in my career, from 800m to 10,000m, but Sunday’s marathon is no easy task,” Hassan acknowledged.
“Completing the marathon is akin to facing a kind of hell. It’s extremely demanding.”
The dominant US women’s basketball team aims for an eighth consecutive gold against an impassioned French team fueled by their supporters’ “love.”
A victory would grant the US women’s team the record for most consecutive gold medals in any team sport at the Olympic Games.
The US, trailing China by one gold in the medal tally, has prospects in women’s volleyball against Italy and weightlifting with Li Wenwen leading in the over 81kg category.
Other highlights include the men’s water polo final, track cycling events, modern pentathlon, men’s handball final, and wrestling.
