The Eiffel Tower: An Unexpected Twist at the Olympics Closing Ceremony

PARIS, France — The iconic Eiffel Tower took center stage at the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics, but it seems it won’t be making an appearance at the Closing Ceremony.

Authorities had to evacuate the Eiffel Tower after a shirtless man was seen climbing the Paris landmark just hours before the closing ceremony was set to begin on Sunday. The man’s daring ascent drew attention from spectators as he made his way up the 330-meter tall tower, eventually reaching just above the Olympic rings on the second section of the monument.

During the opening ceremony, the Eiffel Tower played a pivotal role, with a performance from Celine Dion capturing the hearts of viewers. However, it seems the iconic structure will not be part of the closing ceremony, which was scheduled to take place at Stade de France in the Saint-Denis area at 9 p.m.

To ensure the safety of all attendees, more than 30,000 police officers have been deployed around Paris and its surrounding areas for the final Olympic events and the closing ceremony. France’s Interior Minister, Gerald Darmanin, announced that a significant police presence will be maintained around the Stade de France, with an additional 20,000 police and security personnel stationed in Paris and Saint-Denis to oversee the proceedings until late into the night.