a symbolic but criticized presence at the closing ceremony

The Mission Impossible actor will have a prominent place at the closing ceremony of the Games. His presence is nevertheless controversial because of his membership in Scientology.

It’s official, Tom Cruise will have an important role in the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games, which will take place on Sunday, August 11 at the Stade de France. While the staging of this show is once again signed by Thomas Jolly, the organization of the Los Angeles 2028 Games (“LA 28”) has prepared a sequence, which aims to pass the torch to the next host country. It is therefore “LA 28” who made the decision to have the actor participate. Known for his role in Mission Impossible, and especially for his extraordinary stunts, he should perform impressive figures at the Stade de France, reports BFMTV-RMC.

Tom Cruise’s presence was known, although “LA 28” tried to keep this information secret, because of the many scenes filmed in the streets of Paris. The actor was notably seen riding a motorbike on the Bir Hakeim bridge in Paris (16th arrondissement). Fans initially believed that it was a new Mission Impossible installment, but the actor’s presence throughout the Games gave them cause for concern.

Scientology and controversy

If Tom Cruise is very popular for his roles in the cinema, his personality in real life is disturbing. Indeed, the actor is the ambassador of Scientology, which has been considered a sect in France since 1995, but which is a religion in the United States. For Lucas Le Gall, victim of Scientology and author of A Billion Years, in the Secrets of Scientology (published by Cherche Midi), “it’s unbearable”, he confides to our colleagues atCurrent affairs survey. The man is disgusted by the presence of the actor at the closing ceremony, especially since he has already been decorated with the insignia of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres by the Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, on July 27.

He also warns of Scientology’s desire to make a comeback in France. This sect is not as successful in France as on the other side of the Atlantic, so its members are trying by all means to recruit new followers. The French headquarters of Scientology was inaugurated in the spring, just 300 meters from the Stade de France, where the closing ceremony will take place. A strategic location since it is geographically close to several large companies, such as EDF, SNCF, the Lendit film studios, the Regional Council in Saint-Ouen… So many targets for the sect, which could also target residents of the surrounding working-class neighborhoods.

With its claimed 12 million members, Scientology describes itself as “a religion that provides a definite path leading to a complete and certain understanding of one’s true spiritual nature and one’s relationships to self, family, groups, humanity, all forms of life, the material universe, the spiritual universe and the Supreme Being.” The goal is to become immortal through spiritual power. As is often the case in cults, once you are a member, you must climb the ranks. Tom Cruise’s level in the cult is not known, however. He became a follower of Scientology in the late 1980s, after being invited to do so by his wife at the time, Mimi Rogers. He also became close to the cult’s ecclesiastical leader, David Miscavige.