‘Bye bye, Rio’ : Welcome Tokyo 「バイバイ、リオ'：ようこそ東京 ' Bye bye , Rio' : Bem...

‘Bye bye, Rio’ : Welcome Tokyo  「バイバイ、リオ'：ようこそ東京  ' Bye bye , Rio' : Bem-vindo de Tóquio

‘Bye bye, Rio’: Olympics ends with splendid ceremony, handover to Tokyo

It was pouring at the Maracana Stadium during the closing
ceremony of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics on Sunday but the rain did little to
dampen the enthusiasm of Rio as the city bid goodbye to the Games with a
resplendent show.

The Brazilian national anthem was sung by 27 children, representing
the country’s 26 states and Federal District. There were multiple firework
displays that never really came to an end. Athletes n raincoats and Team Great
Britain wearing shoes lit in white, red and blue.

There were fitting flag bearers in the Parade of Nations, with
gymnast Simone Biles, winner of five medals, carrying USA’s flag. India’s flag
bearer was bronze medal-winning wrestler Sakshi Malik.

The Olympic flag was officially handed over to Japan, host of
the Tokyo 2020 Games. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made an appearance
dressed as Super Mario. A speech by organising committee president Carlos
Nuzman was followed by one from International Olympic Committee president
Thomas Bach. “Bye bye Rio,” he declared as the Olympic flame was extinguished
to signify the closure of the Games.

A final display of song, dance and fireworks followed before the
ceremony came to an official end.