Simone Biles Carries the Olympic Flag During Paris Closing Ceremony as Olympics Transition to Los Angeles

Simone Biles is leaving the 2024 Paris Olympics on a high note.

The 27-year-old gymnast, who is taking home three gold medals and one silver, had the honor of carrying the Olympic flag during the Sunday, Aug. 11 closing ceremony.

Biles walked out onto the stage at the Stade de France and joined Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass, as musician H.E.R. performed the American national anthem. The song led into the evening’s highly-anticipated moment when Tom Cruise soared into the crowd.

Biles was also noticeably wearing her precautionary boot on her foot after revealing to NBC on Aug. 5 that she was dealing with “a little bit of soreness” in her calf.

Biles was part of the Paris Olympics’ transition into the 2028 Los Angeles Games. After she handed the flag off to Cruise, he strapped to the back of a motorcycle and rode off through the crowds of athletes into the night — and a pre-recorded video.

In the video, Cruise sped down the streets of Paris on the motorcycle, passing landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, and cruised onto a waiting airplane.

“I’m on my way,” he said, as he put on skydiving gear to the tune of “By the Way” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

The flag then goes to Olympic cyclist Kate Courtney, former track star Michael Johnson and skateboarder Jagger Eaton. Finally, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Billie Eilish put on a performance on Venice Beach to wrap up the transition to L.A.
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