PARIS, France: Simone Biles capped off the 2024 Paris Olympics with an unforgettable performance, both on and off the competition floor.
The 27-year-old gymnast, who secured three gold medals and one silver, proudly carried the Olympic flag during the closing ceremony on August 11. Despite dealing with some calf soreness, Biles emerged as a symbol of excellence and resilience.
During the ceremony at Stade de France, Biles joined Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass as musician H.E.R. performed the American national anthem. This marked the transition from the Paris Games to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, a moment filled with anticipation and excitement. Hollywood icon Tom Cruise added to the spectacle, making a dramatic entrance before taking the flag from Biles.
Cruise’s involvement didn’t stop there; he continued the show in a pre-recorded video where he sped through the streets of Paris, passing iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, before boarding a plane, signaling his “arrival” in Los Angeles.
The ceremony concluded with the flag being handed over to Olympic legends like cyclist Kate Courtney and track star Michael Johnson, followed by an electrifying performance by the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Billie Eilish on Venice Beach.
The evening marked a fitting end to Biles’s remarkable Olympic journey in Paris while setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
