Amidst all the vibrant music and dance, the national anthems of Brazil, Greece and Japan sounded the passage of time, as Rio brought down the curtains on the celebration of youth and handed over the Olympic Flag to Tokyo, the host of the next Olympic Games in 2020, at the historic Maracana on Sunday.
Wrestler Sakshi Malik, who won a bronze, carried the Indian flag at the Closing Ceremony as silver medallist P.V. Sindhu had to return home.
The persistent rain, the host’s final challenge, did not dampen the enthusiasm of the athletes who marched into the arena joyfully and captured the moments that would rekindle the joy even after memories fade away.
The president of the organising committee, Carlos Nuzman, shivering as he delivered his speech, declared “the rain comes to celebrate the Games of the 31st Olympiad.”
Thanking the volunteersThe representatives of the volunteers, who tirelessly worked with a smiling face, were honoured by the athletes’ representatives of the IOC that included pole vault icon Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia.
Starting with a tribute to Santos Dumont, hailed as the ‘father of aviation’ and the first man to sport a wristwatch, Rio presented its art, craft and carnival with all the energy it could muster. Stars like Martinho da Vila, a singer, composer and author for more than 50 years, and his musical family performed to the delight of the near capacity crowd.
The giant screen played the winning moments and emotions that accompanied them for a glimpse of the Games that were made spectacular by evergreen heroes Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps.
‘Super Mario’ AbeJapan took the cake by projecting Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as Super Mario, who was helped by Doraemon and has a tool for every trouble. It also showed how it would take the Olympics to a different plane as the “most innovative.” Multiple Olympic gold-medallist swimmer Kosuke Kitajima took a red ball from Mario and it was a cue to set off the fireworks.
Thanking the citizens for painting the country in green and yellow, Nuzman addressed the athletes, who set many World and Olympic records, as the stars of the Games, and said “you inspire the youth in believing that a dream can come true.”
IOC president Thomas Bach praised Brazil. “During these last 16 days, a united Brazil entertained the world with unforgettable and emotional moments of pure happiness despite the rather difficult surrounding environment. These Olympic Games demonstrated that diversity is a priceless asset,” said Bach.
The IOC president reminded that the harmony with which athletes from more than 200 countries lived in the Olympic village had sent a message “together, we can go further”.
The Olympic Cup, made by Baron Pierre de Coubertin in 1906, was presented to the Cariocas, the representatives of the people of Rio de Janeiro.
After the flame was extinguished, Brazil said Obrigado (Portuguese for thank you). Japan also said Arigato (thank you in Japanese) and invited everyone with ‘See you in Tokyo.’
