Although hundreds of people, majority with umbrellas, insisted on joining the party with music bands and watching the closing ceremony at the iconic Maracana stadium on a giant screen, thousands gave up and preferred to return to their homes.
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But there were also ugly episodes, like American swimmer Ryan Lochte’s fabricated story about a harrowing robbery that was actually an intoxicated-fueled vandalism of a gas station bathroom, and freakish issues like Olympic diving pools going from crystal blue to gunky, algae green – at a time when Rio’s water quality in open waters is one of the biggest local environmental issues.
Oiled-up Tongan taekwondo competitor Pita Taufatofua also danced on stage in a grass skirt, reprising a moment that captured many people’s attention when he carried the flag during the opening ceremony. Among the highlights were Tokyo’s impressive showcase and a vibrant carnival parade. The theme of the show was “Brazilians can do with their bare hands”. This was an ode to Brazil’s emerging economy and fifth most populous nation.
Dressed in colorful feathers, dozens of dancers formed in the shape of the arches of Lapa, a popular area of Rio akin to Roman ruins, then morphed to make the shape of iconic Sugarloaf before quickly changing again, this time to the official 2016 symbol. However, the ceremony went on as planned and began on time. The athletes poured into the stadium, under the rain, waving their fflags, shaking their body to the samba and clicking selfies.
One of the major concerns for Brazilians is what will be the final cost of the Games for a country and how much they actually helped improve the city’s infrastructure.
Brazil came late to the party but the country celebrated long and loud when Neymar won a gold-medal penalty shoot-out against Germany to erase memories of their 7-1 World Cup semi-final humiliation in 2014.
“Thanks to the contribution of the National Lottery players via UK Sport and their investment, this is 20 years in the making and we’ve now enjoyed five successive Games of medal growth”. Something the three athletes on the podium will never forget.
“These were a marvellous Olympics, in a marvellous city”, said International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach. “Over the last 16 days a united Brazil inspired the world, in hard times for all of us, with its irresistible joy for life”.
“These were marvellous Olympic Games in the marvellous city!” said Bach, as he declared the Games closed and the Olympic flame was extinguished.
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Now it’s time to end 16 days of most prestigious competition, Rio Olympics, which featuring 11,303 athletes from 206 nations.
