Eiffel Tower evacuated hours before Olympics closing ceremony in Paris as shirtless man seen climbing 1,000ft landmark

THE Eiffel Tower has been evacuated after a shirtless man was spotted climbing the iconic landmark just hours before the Olympics closing ceremony.

Shocked onlookers saw the man scaling up the 1,083ft structure as he managed to stand on top of the blue Olympic ring before continuing his dangerous ascent.

A man has been caught climbing up the Eiffel Tower just hours before the closing ceremony for the OlympicsX

He was seen being arrested on the viewing platform of the historic landmarkX

XThe man was seen climbing on the Olympic rings[/caption]

The climber was caught making his way up the tower without a harness on just moments after the final event was completed this afternoon.

Incredible footage shows him making his way up the giant landmark with just a bag of chalk to help him.

Video shows the man being taken away in handcuffs by French police as tourists watched him from the viewing platform.

The man – who appears to be British from his accent – can be heard saying “bloody warm innit” as he is led away.

Security officials quickly cordoned off the Eiffel Tower as they evacuated the site at around 3pm.

Those inside at the time of the ordeal were briefly locked up on the second floor, say reports.

They were allowed to leave around 30 minutes later once the man had been escorted from the area.

Specialist climbing police were sent up the tower after it was cleared to check for any suspicious or unusual activity.

Do you know who the man is? Email georgie.english@the-sun.co.uk

The tower is not expected to be used in tonight’s closing ceremony which is set to begin in the Stade de France at around 9pm.

It did play a major role in the opening ceremony however as it hosted the breathtaking comeback of Celine Dion.

Frances Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin announced prior to today’s major security breach that 23,000 police officers will be mobilised in the French capital this evening.

At least 3,000 extra officers will be stationed around the Stade de France where the ceremony is due to take place.

It comes as China was crowned as the top team in Paris with a whopping 40 gold medals to their name and a total of 91 podium finishes.

While Team USA finished second in the standings and Japan managed third place.

Team GB recorded a valiant effort of 65 medals, including 14 golds, during the summer showdown.

Meaning the Brits end seventh in the standings, tallying their lowest return of golds in 20 years.

XOnlookers watched on as he was led away[/caption]

APThe area around the tower was quickly evacuated after the major security breach[/caption]