The colourful service, lasting almost three hours, observed the arts of Brazil and was held in a wet Maracana.
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“These were a marvelous Olympics, in a marvelous city”, said International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach.
From the Maracana where it all began 16 days ago, the final event kicked off with figures dressed as multi-colored macaws flying over Rio’s world-famous landmarks, Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain, before forming the five Olympic rings.
We’ve spent the last 16 days in awe watching world class athletes compete in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
“You gave many reasons to be proud”. He also said that the games showed everyone how much of an enrichment diversity is to everybody.
The athletes were cheered to the rafters while Brazil’s diversity and natural beauty were celebrated in style.
Brazil added a final flourish as they beat Italy 3-0 to win the men’s title in volleyball, one of the country’s most popular sports.
Many people, from Brazilians to International Olympic Committee members, will analyze how things went for the Rio Games in the months ahead. Britain’s athletes wore shoes with soles that lit up in changing colors of red, white and blue, while Tongan taekwondo athlete Pita Taufatofua danced onstage in a grass skirt as a DJ performed, reprising a moment that captured attention when he carried the flag for his country during the opening ceremony.
The service, watched by billions all over the world, featured a sensational extinguishing of the Olympic fire and the parade of athletes.
In a symbolic gesture, Rio’s mayor Eduardo Paes handed the Olympic flag to Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike, who will need to prepare for the world’s biggest sporting event in the coming years.
Among the highlights were Tokyo’s impressive showcase and a vibrant carnival parade.
The ceremony closed with a firework and confetti show.
The build-up to the Games was marred by the Russian doping scandal, fears over the Zika virus and issues with Rio’s infrastructure, security and the venues.
During the Games, organizers had to contend with numerous other problems including a bullet shot into the media tent at the equestrian venue and a media bus being attacked. Then there was not an empty seat.
Arguably the biggest embarrassment was U.S. swimmer Ryan Lochte’s false claims that he and three teammates were robbed at gunpoint in Rio.
The refugee team of swimmers, judokas and runners were warmly welcomed into Rio, but the 77,000 Brazilian residents displaced as a result of the Games would no doubt have felt less accommodating to the visitors.
Bolt sealed the sprint “triple triple” in his final Games, reaching a record-equalling nine gold medals with his third consecutive 100m, 200m and 4x100m sweep.
Swim legend Phelps took his unmatched career haul to 23 gold medals with another five in Rio – plus a silver, after his loss to former childhood fan Joseph Schooling.
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In the African milieu, Kenya tops the chart with 13 medals: 6 gold, 6 bronze and 1 silver. The Puerto Rican tennis player had never been beyond the fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament, but her sunny demeanour and surprise charge to the Olympic gold medal made her an internet hit, with even comptriot and singing superstar Ricky Martin tweeting his support. Russian Federation and Germany closed the top five on fourth and fifth place, with 56 and 42 medals in total, respectively.
