Tokyo has formally received the flag for the hosting of next Olympic in 2020, as the Rio 2016 Olympic officially came to an end on Sunday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tokyo showcased its vibrant carnival parade during the carnival that signaled the end of the Rio Olympic, which the President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach described as “a marvelous Olympics, in a marvelous city.
“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.
The US topped the medals table with a total haul of 121 medals, comprising 46 gold medals, 37 silver and 38 bronze. Great Britain, which finished the Games with 67 medals, were second as they recorded their highest tally at an overseas Olympics, made up of 27 gold, 23 silver and 17 bronze.
China was in third place with 26 gold, 18 silver and 26 bronze for a total of 70 medals.
Russia, in spite of all the controversy about their doping scandal, which led their contingent being reduced, were fourth with 19 gold, 18 silver and 19 bronze to total 56 medals.
In fifth place was Germany with a total of 42 medals, comprising 17 gold, 10 silver and 15 bronze.
Japan were sixth with 41 medals, comprising 12 gold, 8 silver and 21 bronze, while France were seventh with 10 gold, 18 silver and 14 bronze for 42 medals.
South Korea was in eighth place with 21 medals made up of 9 gold, 3 silver and 9 bronze.
Italy were ninth with 8 gold, 12 silver and 8 bronze to total 28 medals, while Australia were 10th with 29 medals comprising 8 gold, 11 silver and 10 bronze.
Hosts Brazil were placed 13th with 19 medals made up of 7 gold, 6 silver and 6 bronze, while Nigeria were joint 78th with one bronze medal.
Kenya had the best African performance, hauling 13 medals to finish 15th with 6 gold, 6 silver and 1 bronze.
The closing ceremony featured the symbolic handover of the Olympic flag. Rio mayor Eduardo Paes returned it to IOC president Bach, before it was passed to Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike.
That was followed by an impressive 12-minute showcase of Tokyo, which included Prime Minister Abe’s star turn. [myad]
