A blustery storm, a touch of melancholy and a sense of pride converged at the closing ceremony of the 2016 Olympics, as Brazil breathed a collective sigh of relief at having pulled off South America’s first Games
Samba dancers, singers, drummers and a giant plumed macaw float mixed with hundreds of athletes in the storied Maracana Stadium while a final volley of fireworks lit up the night sky.
The city handed over the Olympic flag to Tokyo, site of the 2020 Summer Games, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appeared in the stadium dressed as popular video game character Mario, tunneling from Tokyo to Rio.
“These Olympic Games are leaving a unique legacy for generations to come,” he said. “History will talk about a Rio de Janeiro before and a much better Rio de Janeiro after the Olympic Games.”
For all the troubles before and during the Games, Rio will surely be remembered for some great sporting moments.