Snoop Dogg, Billie Eilish & Red Hot Chili Peppers Kick Off L.A.’s Olympic Countdown During Paris Closing Ceremonies

As the 2024 Paris Olympics drew to a close, the spotlight shifted to Los Angeles, the host city for the 2028 Summer Games. The City of Angels made its presence felt during the closing ceremony with a star-studded handover celebration featuring some of California’s most iconic musical talents.

The festivities began with Grammy-winning artist H.E.R. performing the U.S. national anthem, setting the stage for the official transfer of host city duties from Paris to Los Angeles. In a pre-recorded segment, action star Tom Cruise executed a daring stunt, leaping from a rooftop to kick off the Olympic flag’s symbolic journey to its new home.

The flag then passed through the hands of several Olympians before reaching Long Beach, where the Red Hot Chili Peppers took center stage. The rock band, synonymous with Southern California’s music scene, energized the crowd with their hit “Can’t Stop.”

Billie Eilish continued the musical tribute from atop a lifeguard tower, a nod to L.A.’s famous beaches. Eilish performed “Birds of a Feather” from her latest album, showcasing the city’s contemporary musical talent.

Fresh from his charming antics at the Paris Games, rapper Snoop Dogg returned to his hometown to close out the show. The Long Beach native delivered a rousing rendition of his 2004 hit “Drop It Like It’s Hot” before being joined by legendary producer Dr. Dre for their collaboration “The Next Episode.”

Casey Wasserman, chairperson and president of LA28, called the handover a key moment for the upcoming Olympics. “This is the start of our journey as the next Summer Games host,” Wasserman said. “We’re excited to share L.A.’s vibrant culture and music with the world.”

NBC Olympics Programming President Molly Solomon echoed the sentiment, describing the lineup as a “powerhouse” that would “rock the world” and give viewers a taste of what to expect in 2028.