PARIS (TVBS News) — The Paris Olympics are drawing to a close, and supporters have gathered in popular bars across downtown Paris for the final soccer competitions. Enthusiasts have praised the organization of the two-week-long event, which has received acclaim from both French and foreign sports fans.
Parisians Embrace a Quieter City
The city, usually bustling with its residents, has seen a noticeable decrease in population due to the August vacation exodus. William V. and Lea Z., French nationals in Paris, commented on the atmosphere, "It was great. I think there's a real atmosphere. I'm more of a TV person, but afterward, there were a lot fewer people than we thought. We said that transport was going to be packed, but in August, people leave. So it balances out and it's fluid."
Olympic Organization Praised
The fears of logistical nightmares during the Olympics proved largely unfounded. Caio M., a data scientist from Brazil based in Paris, noted, "I feel like there was a lot of fear mongering that the Olympics would be very difficult, that things wouldn't work. But in the end, you, uh, have some problems. But overall, everything is working as it should."
Brazilian students Tarcisio B. and Joao M. echoed this sentiment: "It's very well organized. Like the city. It's pretty nice. So beautiful. And, yeah, I went to some games, and all of them, they were. We were very organized. We didn't have any problems. So it's nice."
Closing Ceremony and Celebrity Appearances
The closing ceremony will unfold at 9 p.m. at the Stade de France, the venue for athletics events. It will begin with the return of the athletes to the stadium, followed by a 40-minute show ending with a festive moment of music. Speeches will follow, and the handover to Los Angeles, the host city of the 2028 Summer Games, will feature an anthem linking France and the United States.
Speculation about celebrity appearances at the closing ceremony has been rampant. According to U.S. media reports, "Mission: Impossible" star Tom Cruise could perform a stunt for the Stade de France crowd and facilitate the Olympic flag handover between Paris and the U.S., with videos shot on both sides of the Atlantic.
Tarcisio B. and Joao M. are particularly excited about this prospect: "Maybe Tom Cruise. Because Tom Cruise was in the (women soccer final) game, right? Yeah. Yeah. Maybe Tom Cruise."
Loanne L. and Teddy C. added, "Yes, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Billie Eilish, and Snoop Dogg are here for other TV stations. But that's all we've heard. Tom Cruise has already shot scenes in Paris, apparently for broadcast, but we're not sure, it's all 'they say.'"
Some fans are also dreaming of a performance by Beyoncé, a fervent supporter of Team USA on social media.