lympic Games 2024: 5 Events around the Closing Ceremony That Caused a Stir
Controversy surrounded the conclusion of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, with the Closing Ceremony being deemed “long” and “boring.” Fans were left split and frustrated by the social media response that was prompted by the ominous imagery and unnerving music. See what transpired to cause this internet commotion.
Thomas Jolly, who oversaw the contentious Opening Ceremony in July, conducted Paris’ Closing Ceremony at the Stade de France on August 11, 2024, to conclude the Olympic Games.
Over 70,000 people attended the “Records” event at the stadium, and millions more watched from home. Rapper Dr. Dre and Grammy Award winner Billie Eilish were among the famous guests who performed on stage.
These prominent individuals caused controversy when they attended the Games, dividing internet users and allaying some fears.
Online Users’ Inquiry Tom Cruise’s Arrival at the Final Ceremonies
At the Paris 2024 Closing Ceremony, Hollywood action hero Tom Cruise made a stunning debut by swinging down from the roof of the Stade de France.
Famed for his audacious feats in the “Mission: Impossible” series, Cruise mesmerised the crowd by lowering himself into the stadium to the accompaniment of guitar player H.E.R.
A pre-recorded animation that showed Cruise travelling through Paris before arriving in the United States was shown throughout the program. When he got to the Hollywood sign, he unfurled the Olympic colours, signifying the handover to Los Angeles, which will host the 2028 Olympic Games.
With this event, Paris officially ended its run as this year’s host city. In addition to H.E.R.’s performance of the American national song, Cruise’s performance gave the ceremony a special touch.
Recipient of the Olympic flag from the late, great gymnast Simone Biles, Cruise made an unforgettable impression by swooping past the crowd on a motorbike.
Some may have found amusement in Cruise’s presence, but not everyone was pleased with his presence at the closing ceremony. One X user said, “Why is Tom Cruise on there?” in reference to his presence.
He hardly meets the criteria for being a human. In person, a nasty and conceited individual with no redeeming traits. navigating his way through life,” said another.
Someone brought up Cruise’s tense connection with his daughter, and more individuals criticised him for his personal life decisions. “[…] He is a TV hero, but he can’t be Suri’s father. Repulsive,” a user commented.
One more person said, “Very corny…I won’t watch anything that Tom Cruise is in; he belongs to a cult; why is he being promoted as the Olympic face in 2028?”
As Cruise performed at the ceremony, some users concentrated more on his facial expressions and assumed certain things.
“There’s just something wrong with his face!” exclaimed one. It’s much better to age with grace and be genuine rather than artificial, so why should movie stars meddle with nature?”
Another person asked, “Has he put on weight? Tom Cruise doesn’t actually resemble that face. Perhaps he is, in fact, getting older. or…double the stunt?”
“Tom Cruise, the three-time Golden Globe winner, gives me the creeps and my god, how much filler has he shoved into his face,” one person commented.
Online users are divided by a woman’s enthusiastic response to Tom Cruise.
Not just Cruise’s performance at the Olympics in Paris has generated discussion on the internet. He got into an embarrassing situation with a spectator during the closing ceremony, and it rapidly became a topic of conversation.
The event featured an anonymous woman whose interactions with Cruise provoked discussion over whether the actions would be considered appropriate in a role-reversal.
A video of the woman trying to kiss the four-time Academy Award contender went viral, sparking the debate. In the video, Cruise is seen circulating through the throng and giving warm greetings to admirers. At one point, he leans in to give one of them a hug, which creates an unexpected moment.
He can be seen removing himself from her as soon as the woman gets near enough to kiss him on both cheeks. “How did that woman nearly make up with Tom Cruise on a foreign television show? #ClosingCeremony,” the person who posted the video on X said as a caption.
Some were offended by this move and criticised the woman for attempting to trespass into Cruise’s personal space. As someone put it, “Imagine if the roles were reversed…”
She was really unsuitable; you can’t just try to kiss someone you don’t know. There would be a riot if a man had done that to a famous woman,” wrote another.
Online users agreed, with one commenting, “Not acceptable…The idea of the roles being reversed makes me cringe.” More individuals commented on how disgusting the woman’s actions were. One person said, “That was rude,” and another stated, “She needs to be punished!”
Not everyone, though, found her antics offensive and thought they were funny. “Legendary,” one said, adding an emoji of laughter. A person made the comment, “Lol…she is showing love.” Someone else shouted, “She went for the gold! Bravo for her!” another exclaimed, “Wow, amazing.”
The video appearance of Kate Middleton has fans worried.
One well-known person has alarmed internet users amid the Paris Olympics controversy by turning up in an Instagram video.
Fans were alarmed when Kate Middleton, Prince William, and other celebrities praised Team Great Britain for their accomplishments prior to the closing ceremony.
Even though she appeared to be smiling broadly in the video, several quickly pointed out that she was acting fake. “Trying to put on a happy face, but you must have suffered a lot,” someone said. Wishing you luck and getting closer to a full recovery, Kate.”
Another person expressed sympathy for the princess, adding, “Kate doesn’t look happy in this photo. Warm regards and well-being to her.” One said the Princess of Wales appears to be hardly glowing because to the after effects of chemotherapy, but they nonetheless wished her a quick recovery.
As one person observed, “She looks painfully thin and fragile,” another person had similar thoughts. One person wrote, “I hope Kate keeps getting well. Her eyes no longer sparkle, and she appears extremely exhausted. One courageous woman.
One user, who also writes, “I wish the Princess of Wales well,” is adamant that the monarch, who loves sports, would have gone to the Olympics in Paris if she had been able.
The Part of the Athlete Karaoke That Bore and Confused the Viewers
During the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics, a rather peculiar incident occurred when athletes joined together to sing. The mood of the evening was set as they entered a futuristic stage and danced to French electro music.
An announcement preceded the “athlete karaoke” portion, which urged participants to belt out a few songs when the teams entered the stadium.
French hits like Gala’s “Freed From Desire” and Queen’s timeless “We Are the Champions” were among the songs played, igniting the biggest sing-along of the evening. Not everyone at home, though, was impressed by this accomplishment. X users criticised the way things was planned and voiced their discontent.
One internet user thought it was “boring” and clumsy, while another could hardly watch the entire thing. There was another person who didn’t like the playlist.
Thought the idea of athlete karaoke seemed intriguing, one person said, “I don’t think it works very well enough.” Another said, “Athlete karaoke without lyrics? I’m confused.” In addition, Let’s not hold the Olympics in this city once more.”
“Karaoke for athletes? Because hearing the greatest sportsmen in the world sing is why we’re here,” a snarky commenter said. One person was pleased that Queen’s “We Are the Champions” was included in the playlist, while another rejected the concept.
Viewers Call a Dystopian Performance an Insult
Notably, the closing ceremony honoured the heritage of the Olympic Games and had cultural value for France. A Golden Voyager representing the Spirit of the Bastille descended from the stadium’s roof during the event.
With depictions of the Greek gods Nike and Apollo, this show honoured both the modern Olympics and its Greek roots.
But the entire mood was apparently ruined by ominous images, unsettling music, and heavy smoke, which overwhelmed the positive vibe that had characterised the previous 16 days of competition.
Some viewers apparently muted their televisions to avoid the eerie voiceover and the out-of-place music since the atmosphere felt more enigmatic and unnerving than festive. Additionally, the section ran on and eventually become boring and repetitive.
Similar complaints of the opening ceremony were echoed by some viewers, who said that the scene when the figures and dancers reassembled the Olympic rings had a “dystopian” and even “satanic” air.
This tone stood in stark contrast to the feelings of gratitude that are usually felt at the end of an event this big and so inspirational on a worldwide scale.
One of the frank comments made by X users on the closing ceremony was, “The most boring closing ceremony of the Olympics ever.”
Some thought the ceremony lasted too long, while others thought a certain performer’s show wasn’t very enjoyable. One more person said, quite plainly, “[…] Did not like the end at all.”
Even while the competitors’ gold haul brought the Olympics in Paris to a successful conclusion, the incidents that occurred will serve as a reminder of the drawbacks of hosting a major international athletic event.
