2016 Rio Olympics Closing Ceremony: What Went Down
Rio delivered a spectacular carnival-inspired closing ceremony as they hand over the Olympic flag to Tokyo.
The 2016 Rio Olympics has officially ended yesterday. The hosting city Rio gave a vibrant carnival parade to close the ceremonies as they celebrate the country’s art, dance, and music. Although it rained on the Maracana Stadium, where the closing ceremony was held, it didn’t become a hitch for everyone to have a spectacular time. Right after the carnival, the official handover to Tokyo, the 2020 Olympics hosting city, took place in a colorful and very Japanese way!
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) chief Thomas Bach lauded Rio for being a wonderful hosting city. "These were a marvellous Olympics, in a marvellous city”. He continued. "Over the last 16 days a united Brazil inspired the world, in difficult times for all of us, with its irresistible joy for life."
Bach officially closed the Games of the 31st Olympiad after 16 days of competition, featuring 11,303 athletes from 206 nations and a refugee team.
Highlights of the Closing Ceremony:
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appeared dressed as Super Mario, rising out of a huge green pipe in the stadium!
The ceremony was watched by billions around the world, it featured the parade of athletes and the Olympic flame was extinguished by a rain shower, which then gave life to a large tree sculpture to symbolise rebirth.
Brazilian model Izabel Goulart led a parade of 50 women and 200 dancers, who were joined by trucks containing 12 carnival queens.The ceremony concluded with a confetti and firework show.
Watch the official inauguration of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics here. (Featuring Japanese athletes, Hello Kitty, Doraemon, and Mario.
{youtube}4AbJksEbqCw{/youtube}
#y101fm #alwaysfirst #rhythmofthecity #sports