Hollywood Ending for Marathon Runner Hassan in Paris Olympics

Sifan Hassan completed her nearly impossible mission with a grueling women’s marathon win on the scorching streets of Paris Sunday, as rumors circulate about Tom Cruise giving the Olympic Games a Hollywood-style conclusion.

On the final day of what has been regarded as a spectacular Games, the race for the top spot on the medals table is coming down to the wire, with China and the United States vying for dominance.

Dutch athlete Hassan took on what many considered an outrageous challenge, competing in the 5,000m, the 10,000m, and the marathon — the latter two events just two days apart.

Hassan pulled off a stunning sprint finish, surpassing Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa to claim gold by three seconds in an Olympic record of 2 hours, 22 minutes, and 55 seconds.

On Friday, she earned bronze in the 10,000m at the Stade de France after already securing bronze in the 5,000m.

She collapsed on the blue carpet in front of the golden dome of the Invalides memorial complex in the heart of Paris before grabbing a Dutch flag to celebrate her remarkable achievement.

“It was not easy,” said Hassan, 31. “It was so hot, but I was feeling OK. I’ve never pushed myself to the finish line like I did today.”

Every moment in the race, I regretted running the 5,000m and 10,000m. I kept telling myself if I hadn’t done that, I would feel great today.

“From start to finish, it was so hard. Every step of the way, I was thinking, ‘Why did I do that? What is wrong with me?’

Hassan’s victory was a sensational finale to the Olympics athletics program, which also saw US sprinter Noah Lyles win the 100m by just five-thousandths of a second.

The United States dominated in athletics and is going for gold in the last event of the Games, with their women’s basketball team hoping to add to the men’s title against hosts France.

An eighth straight victory would set a new record for the most consecutive golds in any team sport at the Olympic Games, surpassing the US men’s seven consecutive basketball titles from 1936 to 1968.

“I think the gold medal is the standard,” said US forward Alyssa Thomas. “No matter where we are in the world, it’s our goal, and that’s what we came here for.”

Wrestling, weightlifting, water polo, volleyball, modern pentathlon, handball, and track cycling were among the other sports crowning Olympic champions on the final day.

Hungary’s Michelle Gulyas ran and shot her way to Olympic gold in the modern pentathlon, while home favorite Elodie Clouvel secured silver amid cheers from the crowd.

In weightlifting, China’s jubilant Li Wenwen lifted her coach into the air instead of the bar, having already secured gold.

On the cycling track, Dutch star Harrie Lavreysen surged to victory in the men’s keirin, earning his third gold of the Games and ending British dominance in the event, which they had won at every Olympics since 2008.

New Zealand’s Ellesse Andrews clinched the women’s sprint title to add to her keirin gold, while American cyclist Jennifer Valente triumphed in the women’s omnium.

Valente’s gold set up a thrilling climax in the medal standings.

With a clean sweep in diving and table tennis, China leads the medals table with 40 golds, one ahead of the US, with the women’s basketball final yet to come.

As the sporting events draw to a close, attention turns to the closing ceremony at the Stade de France and the next Olympics, set to take place in Los Angeles in four years.

Los Angeles is expected to capitalize on its Hollywood star power, with performances by pop star Billie Eilish, rapper Snoop Dogg, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers already confirmed.

The worst-kept secret in Paris is that “Top Gun” star Tom Cruise appears poised to bring the ceremony to a dramatic close with a spectacular stunt sequence.

Cruise is currently filming the latest episode of the “Mission Impossible” franchise in Europe and has been a regular attendee at Olympic events in Paris.

“On August 11, the Olympic Games will be over, and the Olympic flame will be extinguished,” said Thomas Jolly, who masterminded the unique opening ceremony along the River Seine.

“That moment will remind us just how precious these Olympic Games are,” added Jolly, whose ceremony sparked some controversy with a scene appearing to parody the Last Supper.