Clements who enjoyed breakfast with the team and their support staff at the Rio’s Olympic Village on Saturday said she was blown away by the refugee team’s “extraordinary talent, determination, and a past that unfortunately 65 million people share”.
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A day before the closing ceremony of the first Olympics on the South American continent, Bach said: “These were and still are iconic Olympic Games in many respects”.
Bach said Rio had staged “iconic Games” and that “the Brazilians were altogether great hosts”.
“These were marvellous Games in the marvellous city, and they leave a unique legacy”, he said. “They turned this great competition into a party for everybody”, he said.
“These Olympic Games have not been organised in a bubble”.
The Rio Olympics is also iconic in a way that the Games is “in the middle of reality”, Bach said.
After Bach officially closed the 31st Olympiad, calling upon the youth of the world to gather again in Tokyo, the music struck up again and those athletes still in the mood turned the Maracana into a giant dance floor, an apt way to end a Games that have certainly been fun.
“This was very good for everybody”.
Unusually, Bach was not joined today by Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman, who has not spoken to the press since before the Opening Ceremony. Hickey has denied any involvement.
“We respect the laws and legal procedures here in Brazil and can not comment further on this”, he said. “At this time there is no reason for any action, given that Mr Hickey has suspended himself from any (IOC) activities”, the German, who has headed the International Olympic Committee since 2013, said.
“This is the only thing the ethics commission could have done at this time”.
“It took note of this self-suspension and will follow up the case according to the developments”.
But he claimed “we have seen exciting events in most of the stadiums”, citing this morning’s men’s singles badminton final as well as beach volleyball on Copacabana.
“We have taken decision there in the interests of athletes, defending the individual rights of these athletes and not making athletes be responsible for irregularities of their government”, he said. “What we see is that he’s not yet been heard by a judge so the presumption of innocence prevails”.
Legendary athlete Usain Bolt finished a dream triple triple – by virtue of his golden feat in 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay in three Olympics, Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio 2016.
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“We are not responsible for dangers to which Mrs. Stepanova may be exposed”, Bach added.
