Hollywood star Tom Cruise abseils into Olympic closing ceremony

Tom Cruise made a dramatic entry into the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics at the Stade del France on Sunday. The Hollywood superstar abseiled into the arena from the roof and then grabbed the Olympic flag, before jumping on a motorbike, to roars from the crowd.

The closing spectacle marked the beginning of the four-year countdown to the LA Games, and American gymnastics icon Simone Biles joined Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass as the Olympic flag was formally handed over. Around 9,000 athletes had flooded into the stadium to be entertained by 270 performers and artists in a ceremony billed as a celebration of humanity and the unifying power of sport.