Rio says goodbye to its Olympic Games 2016
by AAP on 23 Aug 2016
Samba dancers perform in the 'Cidade Maravilhosa' segment during the Closing Ceremony on Day 16 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Maracana Stadium on August 21, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Getty Images
The Olympic Games will leave Rio de Janeiro a much better place, International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach says.
Speaking at a buoyant closing ceremony on Sunday night, Bach says athletes have sent a message to the world.
'You have shown us all the power of sport can unite the world,' Bach said.
'You are sending a powerful message of peace to the whole world.'
He added: 'These were marvellous Olympic Games in the marvellous city!'
Bach overlooked numerous problems which plagued the Games, saying Rio 'will have a place in our hearts forever'.
The ceremony opened with original footage of Alberto Santos Dumont, the man who Brazilians recognise as the inventor of the aeroplane - they also believe he's the first person to ever wear a wristwatch, an invention made by a friend so he could see the time when flying.
After Brazil's national anthem was sung by 27 children - representing 26 states plus the federal district - songs from arguably Brazil's most popular singer Carmen Miranda, who achieved widespread fame in the mid-1930s, were played as athletes from 207 delegations entered the arena.
Many wore ponchos to protect from constant rain which, accompanied by swirling winds, failed to dampen the enthusiasm of the athletes.
Gold medallists are among the flag bearers including Australian rower Kim Brennan, United States Simone Biles, South Africa's Caster Semenya while Brazil's flag was carried by Isaquias Queirez dos Santos, who won two silver medals and bronze in men's canoe.
Rio's Mayor Eduardo Paes was there, as was Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike to represent Tokyo, the next Olympic host.
Japan, the furthest country from Brazil, used augmented reality technology in its eye-catching section of the ceremony which featured manga and anime characters including Mario - he ran through a pipe which supposedly connected Tokyo with Rio, then, centre stage at the Maracana, morphed into Japan's prime minister.
Tokyo's Governor then took the Olympic flag in a symbolic handover.
Soon, Rio's Games became saudade, a uniquely Portuguese word denoting the concept of missing or nostalgia.
'I don't miss what I experienced because it has already become what I am,' is a line in the traditional Brazilian poem Saudade.
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