By REY C. LACHICA
PARIS – If one was amazed by the opening of the Paris Olympic, expect more hair-raising moments in the closing ceremony slated Sunday, Aug. 11, at the colossal Stade de France in Seine-Saint-Denis.
Though most of the details were not yet divulged, the event has the touch of Hollywood with Los Angeles being the next host of the biggest show on earth in 2028.
Unlike in the opening when it was held on River Seine with the imposing and iconic Eiffel Tower as background, Sunday’s occasion will be held in a closed venue.
It’s going to be shorter than the opening, but certainly, the show is going to bring the remaining athletes, coaches, officials and spectators to the “futuristic world.”
If the reports are true, one of the highlights could be a death-defying stunt of Hollywood A-lister Tom Cruise of the blockbuster movie “Mission Impossible” during the passing of the five rings flag to host Los Angeles.
The lavish opening ceremonies drew a record audience of more than a billion worldwide and the team of the revered director Thomas Jolly expects more.
If the presence of Cruise is not enough, then a number of big-time artists have been invited to make the night truly special.
Among them are Céline Dion, Lady Gaga, Aya Namakura, Gojira and Juliette Armanet.
According to Le Parisien, Versailles-based Phoenix and the electro duo of Air will provide the French touch in the affair where Jolly is expected to combine “wonder” with “dystopia” that suggests darker elements than the joyful but “disrespectful” tone of the opening ceremony.
The two famous bands practically brought the house when they held a unique free concert at the roof of Terminal 1at Charles-de-Gaulle airport.
