Sports

Man Climbing Eiffel Tower Arrested Hours Before Olympics Closing Ceremonies

Police intervened and detained a man who scaled the iconic monument in the afternoon.

Anterior photo of Gendarmerie security forces patrol standing on a bridge with the the Eiffel Tower at a distance
Sebastian Kahnert/picture alliance via Getty Images

The 2024 Paris Olympics ended with one last blaze of glory, and it’s all thanks to some random guy who decided to climb the Eiffel Tower.

According to the Associated Press, a shirtless man was seen scaling the 1,083 foot tall tower on Sunday afternoon, just hours before the Olympics closing ceremony.

It’s not clear where he began the climb from, but an anonymous law enforcement official told the news agency that the man started to climb at around 2:45 p.m. before police intervened and detained him.

A video of the suspect being escorted away by police with handcuffs on his back circulated online.

“Bloody warm, innit?” he said calmly, as onlookers watched him get taken away.

Visitors were evacuated away from the area shortly after he was first spotted climbing above the Olympic rings, just above the first viewing deck.

Some visitors on the second floor were temporarily stuck inside but were allowed to exit after being held for 30 minutes.

The Eiffel Tower was not meant to be part of the closing ceremony, which was held at the Stade de France Stadium.

The incident is still under investigation and no charges have been announced.

Related Stories

Jayson Tatum poses wearing his gold medal. He appears with Ella Mai and family members in front of an American flag backdrop. In a split photo, Ella Mai appears holding a newborn child standing off to the side
sports

Ella Mai and Jayson Tatum Introduce Their Newborn Baby at the 2024 Paris Olympics

The notoriously private couple sparked pregnancy rumors in June after Mai was spotted with an apparent baby bump.

Alex Ocho631 days ago
Jordan Chiles with her medal
sports

Jordan Chiles Might Lose Olympic Medal After Court Ruling Reverted Her Score (UPDATE)

The International Gymnastics Federation reverted her score, putting her in fifth place instead of third.

Trey Alston632 days ago
Ariana Ramsey posing with her medal
sports

Team USA Rugby Player Ariana Ramsey Is Now a Free Healthcare Advocate

She announced on TikTok that this is her new goal for America.

Trey Alston631 days ago

Stay ahead on Exclusives

Download the Complex App