Images from the closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Hollywood star Tom Cruise abseiled from the roof of the Stade de France on Sunday as Paris bid farewell to what are considered to be one of the most successful Olympic Games in history.

Cruise descended a cable in front of 71,500 spectators, grabbed the Olympic flag and jumped on a motorcycle, much to the delight of the athletes and fans.

In a preview of what the world can expect when the Games head to Los Angeles in 2028, the ‘Mission Impossible’ star was then shown boarding a plane and skydiving over the Californian city, before adorning the iconic Hollywood sign with the Olympic rings.

Los Angeles band Red Hot Chili Peppers, singer Billie Eilish and rappers Snoop Dogg and Dr Dre then performed a mini concert on a beach surrounded by the azure waters of the Pacific Ocean.

The closing spectacle marked the beginning of the four-year countdown to the Olympic Games in LA. American gymnastics icon Simone Biles and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass officially presented the Olympic flag together.

Some 9,000 athletes poured into the stadium to be entertained by 270 performers in a ceremony billed as a celebration of humanity and the unifying power of sport.

Sunday started with a thrilling victory in the women’s marathon by Dutch long-distance runner Sifan Hassan.

Hassan had taken a gamble in Paris that many considered insane: he competed in the 5,000 metres, the 10,000 metres and the marathon.

But in a stunning sprint finish, Hassan overtook Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa to take gold by three seconds in an Olympic record time of 2 hours 22 minutes and 55 seconds. Hassan was presented with her gold medal at the closing ceremony.

(Text input from AFP)

Here are some photos from the closing ceremony: