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After dishing out unforgettable sporting excellence, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics concluded today with International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach declaring the Games closed. He called the pandemic-delayed Games the "most challenging Olympic journey".
This was followed by the Olympic flag handover ceremony. The Governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike handed over the flag to IOC president Bach, who then it handed over it to the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo. The 33rd edition of the Olympic Games will be held in Paris from 26 July to 11 August, 2024.
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At the spectacular closing ceremony at the National Stadium, festivities began with fireworks that lit up the night sky. The closing ceremony included a live performance by the Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, a Japanese ska and jazz band; dancers moved through the crowd of athletes as the band played several songs.
A video was shown, looking back on the 17 days of competitions that saw record-breaking history being made across multiple sporting events. As per COVID-19 protocol, the closing ceremony, like the opening ceremony, was held without any spectator in the stadium.
Wrestler Bajrang Punia, who claimed a bronze medal, was flag bearer of India at the ceremony. In contrast to the ethnic outfit athletes wore during the opening ceremony, they were seen in comfortable track suits.
India occupied 48th position with seven medals in the 32nd Tokyo Olympic Games, which concluded in Tokyo today. India won one gold, two silver and four bronze medals in the fortnight-long biggest sporting event of the world. United States of America led the tally with a total of 113 medals, which included 39 gold, 41 silver and 33 bronze.
Chine finished second with 88 medals (38 gold, 32 silver, 18 bronze), while host Japan secured the third place with a total of 58 medals (27 gold, 14 silver, 17 bronze). Tokyo Olympics will be followed by Tokyo Paralympics from 24 August to 5 September, 2021. The Paralympics will feature 539 events across 22 sports. A 54-member Indian contingent, the largest ever, would compete in nine sports.
Odisha para-badminton ace Pramod Bhagat will represent Indian the Paralympic Games. Being the World champion in men SL3 singles category, he will be favourites for the gold medal. Bhagat will also compete in mixed doubles event with Palak Kohli as his partner.
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TOP: A view of the Tokyo Olympic closing ceremony at the National Stadium in Tokyo on 8 August, 2021.
RIGHT: Indian athletes enjoying themselves during the closing ceremony at the National Stadium in Tokyo on 8 August, 2021.
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