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Tokyo Olympics 2020 Closing Ceremony Highlights: Olympic flame extinguished as Games are closed by Thomas Bach

Tokyo 2020 Olympics Closing Ceremony Highlights: Men's freestyle 65kg bronze medallist Bajrang Punia was India's flag-bearer as a memorable edition of the Summer Games were declared closed by IOC President Thomas Bach. 17 days of sporting action came to an end with a memorable closing ceremony.
Tokyo Olympics 2020 Closing Ceremony Highlights
Tokyo Olympics 2020 Closing Ceremony Highlights

Tokyo 2020 Olympics Closing Ceremony Highlights: Bajrang Punia, who finished with a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics in men's freestyle 65kg wrestling event, was the flag-bearer for India at the closing ceremony in Tokyo. Eventually, the president of IOC, Thomas Bach, declared the 32nd Olympic Games closed as the Olympic flag was handed over to France, the host of the 2024 Paris Games.

Follow all the updates here:
Aug 8, 2021 6:58 PM IST

Thank you and final goodbye, Tokyo!

I'd be lying if I said I am not emotional right now! These 17 days were something truly extraordinary and we will remember them until our athletes create more memories for us. On behalf of the entire team, I, Shivansh Gupta, thank all of you for taking this journey with us at HT. It has been a privilege to bring live action, reports, analysis, reactions, and everything else related to the Olympics for the last 17 days. This may be over but our coverage isn't. We have loads of events and tournaments coming up from the world of sports, so make sure to follow us. Until next, it's goodbye. CIAO!

Aug 8, 2021 6:51 PM IST

GOOSEBUMPS!

Aug 8, 2021 6:48 PM IST

ARIGATO WITH FIREWORKS

Thank you, Tokyo
Thank you, Tokyo

THE FIREWORKS GO OFF and they form a Rainbow of bridges, symbolizing a United world.

Arigato is displayed on the screen, word signifies Thank you

Aug 8, 2021 6:47 PM IST

Thank you, Tokyo

Aug 8, 2021 6:46 PM IST

Olympic flame extinguished

As OTAKE Shinobu and the Suginami Junior Chorus sing Hoshi Meguri no Uta (A Stroll Among the Stars), the Olympic Flame is slowly extinguished in the cauldron at the Olympic Stadium.

As the Olympic Flame is extinguished, the performers curl their hands into a ball, suggestive of a prayer and alludes to how each and every one of us in the world similarly wishes for peace, prays for the souls of those who are no longer with us, and feels gratitude.

Up next, the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Aug 8, 2021 6:46 PM IST

Thomas Bach closes the 32nd Olympic Games

Aug 8, 2021 6:38 PM IST

"I DECLARE THE GAMES OF THE 32ND OLYMPICS CLOSED"

IOC President declares the Games of the 32nd Olympics closed.

"See you in Paris, thank you very much"

Aug 8, 2021 6:37 PM IST

IOC President Thomas Bach addresses

To athletes: "You inspired us with this unifying power of sport. This was even more remarkable given the many challenges you had to face because of the pandemic."

"The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 are the Olympic Games of hope, solidarity, and peace."


Aug 8, 2021 6:25 PM IST

DIGNITARIES OUT ON STAGE

Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee head Hashimoto Seiko and IOC president Thomas Bach make their way onto the stage.

President of Tokyo 2020 speaks first

Aug 8, 2021 6:22 PM IST

MERCI TOKYO, BONJOUR PARIS

Merci Tokyo, Bonjour Paris. France has sent out a global invitation (In case you are wondering, yes, yours truly knows some French as well. it's definitely better than my Japanese)

Aug 8, 2021 6:21 PM IST

LIVE VISUALS FROM FRANCE

The broadcast then cuts to visuals in Paris, where people are gathered at the Eifel Tower and they erupt in joy as the handover ceremony is completed.

There's an air-show being performed as well and we have visuals from the pilot's helmet. The planes let out the French flag colours as they continue to soar high above in the sky.

Now, we see a group of dancers pulling some seriously good moves. I am very tempted to try out a few but I shall hold my horses. For now at least.

President Emmanuel Macron of France appears in the montage to say the Olympic motto: Faster, Higher, Stronger. Together.


Aug 8, 2021 6:12 PM IST

National anthem of France

Time for the national anthem of France, host of the Paris 2020 Olympic Games. It is performed by National Orchestra of France, conducted by Chloé Dufresne.


For the first time ever in a handover ceremony at the Olympic Games Closing Ceremony, the national anthem of the next host country is delivered on film as part of Paris 2024's presentation.

Stunning visuals and the melody of various instruments are hair-raising. We see visuals of a theatre, an astronaut playing saxophone in a space shuttle, a view of the earth and everyday life in Paris. They have arrived and are ready, is what they are conveying.

Basically, it was French astronaut Thomas Pesquet concluding the anthem with a few notes played from space, gazing towards Japan.

Aug 8, 2021 6:09 PM IST

Olympic flag handover

The Olympic Flag is lowered to the strains of the Olympic Anthem. It will then be handed from Mayor of Tokyo, KOIKE Yuriko, to IOC President Thomas Bach, who will pass it on to Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, signifying the handover to Paris 2024.

They take turns to wave the flag at every step of the handover

Aug 8, 2021 6:06 PM IST

Time for the Olympic anthem

Time now, for the Olympic anthem

Aug 8, 2021 5:57 PM IST

Traditional dance performances

Starting with a song and traditional dance of the Ainu people, the video moves on to the Ryukyu Eisa, the Nishimonai Bon Odori, and the Gujo Odori, showcasing fine, old festivals and beautiful landscapes of the country.

A magnificent virtual tour.

The segment culminates with a performance inside the stadium

Aug 8, 2021 5:57 PM IST

Moment of remebrance

Now, time for a moment of remembrance and reflection, accompanied by performances of traditional dances and festivals of Japan.

Aug 8, 2021 5:56 PM IST

Thank you

Aug 8, 2021 5:51 PM IST

THANK YOU TO THE HEROES, THE VOLUNTEERS

A mark of gratitude to the heroes of the Tokyo members and to all the volunteers that made this event possible. They accept small gifts from the newly-elected IOC Athletes Commission members

70,970 cast members in total. Without their continuous efforts, the Games would have not been possible.

Arigato gozaimashita (yours sincerely knows a word or two)

Aug 8, 2021 5:46 PM IST

New members of the IOC athletes commission

The new members of the IOC athletes commission elected by their peers

Kenya- Rugby

Japan- Fencing

Federica Pellegrini: Italy- Swimming

They have made their way to the stage. Congratulations to them! They now hold a position of power and it comes with massive responsibilu

Aug 8, 2021 5:38 PM IST

MEN'S MARATHON WINNERS

Bronze medal- Bashir Abdi (Belgium)

Silver medal- Abdi Nageeye (Netherlands)

Gold medal- Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya)


They are being presented by Anita Defrantz- IOC Vice President. Accompanied by Sebastian Coe.

And now, the national anthem of Kenya

Aug 8, 2021 5:35 PM IST

WOMEN'S MARATHON WINNERS

Bronze medal- Mollu Seidel(USA)

Silver Medal- Brigid Kosgei (Kenya)

Gold Medal- Peres Jepchirchir (Kenya)

Now, time for the Kenyan national anthem

Aug 8, 2021 5:31 PM IST

VICTORY CEREMONY FOR THE MARATHONS

The men's and women's marathons victory ceremony now. First up, the women's. The medal will be presented by IOC president Thomas Bach. He is also the 1976 Fencing Olympic champion.

Accompanied by Sebastian Coe, World Athletics President. Two gold medals and two silver medals and an Olympian.

TRIVIA- Traditionally, the men's marathon victory ceremony has taken place during the Closing Ceremony of the Olympic Games.

At Tokyo 2020, the women's marathon medal winners get the same honour.

Aug 8, 2021 5:30 PM IST

GREECE NATIONAL ANTHEM

The first of tonight's formalities, with the playing of the Greek anthem and the raising of the flag of the Hellenic Republic.

This marks the link between the Ancient Games and modern Games.

Aug 8, 2021 5:29 PM IST

The orchestra take a bow along with the peformers

The athletes are having a ball of a time. After all, they have the nest view. Singing, dancing, hugging. The performers, the stunt personnel, and the orchestra make their way out.

Aug 8, 2021 5:27 PM IST

DJ, Saxophone, BMX

It's all happening at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo. It's a musical festival now with skateboarders and BMX bikes performing stunts and a saxophone performance.

And yes, we also had great performance by singer Milet.

Aug 8, 2021 5:25 PM IST

THE CASCADING LIGHTS

Aug 8, 2021 5:17 PM IST

Tokyo Ska Paradise orchestra performs

This scene currently ongoing is meant to show the athletes a typical weekend spent at an imaginary park in Tokyo.

Despite having come to Tokyo, the athletes have not had the opportunity to see or experience Tokyo for themselves.

This segment, meant to give the athletes the impression that they have wandered into a real park in Tokyo, hopes to give the athletes a taste of Tokyo


A slice of everyday life in Tokyo being enacted with the Tokyo Sta Paradise orchestra playing in the background.


Aug 8, 2021 5:14 PM IST

HOW BEAUTIFUL

Now, a change of scene. The lights go out and then we see an amalgamation of colours on the central stage. Beautiful dancing colours swirling together, representing the various colours of the participating nations.

LIGHTS NOW FORM THE OLYMPIC SPIRIT AS ONCE AGAIN, THE FIREWORKS GO OFF!

The lights now form the Olympic rings! WOW!

Aug 8, 2021 5:11 PM IST

Out come the Indians

The happy Indian contingent. There they are! Happy Olympic Games, Tokyo 2020! They are followed by neighbours Sri Lanka

Aug 8, 2021 5:09 PM IST

CAN THEY STILL GET DISQAULIFIED IF THEY DON'T?

CAN THEY STILL GET DISQAULIFIED IF THEY DON'T?- Asking for a friend, of course

Aug 8, 2021 5:07 PM IST

TEAM JAPAN

4599 marching participants in one place and millions watching across the world. Just as I type this, the Japanese athletes come out in red jumpers and black tracks.

Aug 8, 2021 5:03 PM IST

UNITED BY EMOTION

Aug 8, 2021 4:58 PM IST

SUCH A HAPPY VIBE

The athletes are as relaxed as they can be. Coming out with phones, some with their medals around their neck. They are dancing, jumping, looking at the camera and waving their mini flags.

Aug 8, 2021 4:53 PM IST

OUT COME THE ATHLETES

Out come the athletes in the closing party. Unlike the opening ceremony, they walk in track suits. They are loving the vibe as they walk out with massive smiles on their faces. No real order being follow

Aug 8, 2021 4:45 PM IST

BAJRANG PUNIA WALKS OUT

India's flag is brought out by flag-bearer Bajrang Punia, the bronze medallist of the men's freestyle 65kg wrestling event.

INDIA FINISH IN THE 48TH POSITION WITH BEST-EVER HAUL FO 7 MEDALS, WHILE US WERE THE ONLY CENTURION

Aug 8, 2021 4:41 PM IST

NATIONS PARADE

The flags of the participating NOCs of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 are now making their entrance, to be followed by the athletes. For India, it's Bajrang Punia

Aug 8, 2021 4:39 PM IST

Japanese national anthem

The Japanese anthem, Kimigayo, is performed by the all-female Takarazuka Revue.

Aug 8, 2021 4:36 PM IST

The flag of Japan

The flag of Japan is brought out by six bearers. 4 athletes, 1 healthcare individual and one Japanese model bring hand over the flag to the armed forces of Japan.


Flag bearers: Olympic champion TAKATO Naohisa, Youth Olympic Games champion in breaking KAWAI Ramu, swimming Olympic champion OHASHI Yui, a doctor YOKOTA Hiroyuki, artistic gymnastics medallist KITAZONO Takeru, and fashion model Amane, who has a leg impairment.

Aug 8, 2021 4:35 PM IST

The Dignitaries

The dignitaries His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Akishino and Thomas Bach make their way out to the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo

Aug 8, 2021 4:34 PM IST

FIREWORKS

After the montage, we have see a round of fireworks engulf the stadium followed by a glimpse of the Olympic Cauldron

Aug 8, 2021 4:32 PM IST

A MONTAGE

It begins with a montage of the events, the celebrations, the victory.


Aug 8, 2021 4:31 PM IST

AND IT BEGINS

The closing ceremony begins

Aug 8, 2021 4:24 PM IST

Just 5 more to go!

We are five minutes away from the opening ceremony. Fasten your seat belts

Aug 8, 2021 4:21 PM IST

The constants

Even though each nation carries out the closing ceremony according to their theme, here are some of the rules to stick to: the parade of nations’ flags, the handing out of medal awards to winners, victory parade.

Then, the Olympic flag is lowered and handed to the nation hosting it next. In this case, Paris.

And finally, the Olympic cauldron is extinguished

Aug 8, 2021 4:09 PM IST

Medal tally

Medal tally
Medal tally

A late surge put the United States at the top of the medals table on the final day as the Americans closed the book on the Tokyo Olympics.

The team had more than 100 medals heading into the final day but had to rely on Sunday winners -- including their women's basketball team which grabbed a seventh straight gold -- to reach the top of the standings for the third Games in a row.

They won 39 golds -- one more than rivals China -- and 113 overall, a decline since the Rio Games, where they picked up 46 golds and 121 medals overall.

Aug 8, 2021 4:05 PM IST

Just in case you had a doubt!

Ever wondered the same? Well, here's your answer!

Aug 8, 2021 3:53 PM IST

Them of the Closing ceremony

Each closing ceremony has its own theme set. This year, the International Olympic Commmittee (IOC) has chosen “Worlds we share"

Aug 8, 2021 3:46 PM IST

Indian contingent at the closing ceremony

There will be no limit on the number of Indian athletes attending the Tokyo Olympics closing ceremony on Sunday but count of the officials has been capped at 10.

In contrast to the ethnic outfit that athletes wore during the opening ceremony, they will be seen in comfortable track suits.

A majority of the hockey and wrestling contingent is expected to attend the ceremony that begins 4.30 PM IST.

Wrestler Bajrang Punia, who claimed a bronze on Saturday, will be India's flag bearer as announced earlier.

As per protocols followed by Indian Olympic Association, the medal winners including gold medallist Neeraj Chopra will be duly made flag bearers in the future multi sporting events including Asian Games and Commonwealth Games next year

Aug 8, 2021 3:43 PM IST

Neeraj Chopra, you're not the only one

Aug 8, 2021 3:37 PM IST

India's best ever Olympics

Just to take you through a quick recap of India's most successful Olympics, it fills my heart with joy to reiterate that India notched up its best-ever medal haul. 7 medals, bettering the London 2021 haul of six medals.

We are lucky to have witnessed history unfold before our eyes

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