Rain extinguished the Olympic Flame during the Closing Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. (RIO 2016)
. sport : Rio rocks to carnival charm as 2016 Olympic Games come to a close - 22 August 2016 - 17:13
Closing ceremony a festival of colour on a rainy night, which bid farewell to the Games and gave a hint of what is to come in 2020
OLYMPICS. Back on familiar ground, Rio de Janeiro did what it does best and threw a spectacular party to celebrate the end of the 2016 Olympic Games. Twenty-four hours after Neymar's spot-kick secured the yearned-for men's football gold, spirits inside the iconic Maracana soared once again.
Rain extinguished the Olympic Flame during the Closing Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. (RIO 2016)
An unforgettable closing ceremony
The rain couldn't dampen spirits at the Maracana as athletes, spectators, and the leadership of Rio 2016 and the Olympic movement gathered to enjoy a spectaular evening of song, dance and friendship, celebrating Brazilian culture.
Fireworks explode 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. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, said: "During these last 16 days, a united Brazil entertained the world with unforgettable and emotional moments of pure happiness."
These Olympic Games are leaving a unique legacy for generations to come. History will talk about a Rio de Janeiro before and a much better Rio de Janeiro after the Olympic Games," he added.
Athletes walk during the "Heroes of the Games" 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. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Closer in feel to a rock concert than a ceremony, the high-energy mix of music, dance and physical art neatly summed up the sense of joyful abandon that the city prides itself on.
Taking up the theme from Fernando Meirelles' opening ceremony, technology and extravagance were spurned in favour of swaying hips, pulsating rhythms and stunning visuals brought to life by hundreds of local dancers. A section in which artist Burle Marx's instantly recognisable swirls rippled across the stage accompanied by one of Tom Jobim's classic tunes was a particular crowd-pleaser.
The seemingly curious choice of house DJ Kygo to launch the Olympic Channel came off, with a selection of medal-winning athletes letting go of any inhibitions they may once have possessed and dancing wildly to the Norwegian's upbeat tunes.
Carnival singers and dancers perform as fireworks explode near the conclusion of the Closing Ceremony on Day 16 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Maracana Stadium on August 21, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Samba, frevo and choro - dances synonymous with Brazil's rich musical heritage - all made a welcome bow, while the predicted rain just about stayed away. It would have needed a storm of epic proportions to dampen the enthusiasm of the thousands of high-class athletes in attendance. Released from the demands of their rigorous training and lifestyle constraints, the exuberant smiles on the familiar and not-so-familiar faces highlighted a certain sense of relief that it is all over.
'Over to you, Japan'
Geographically, Japan is almost as far from Brazil as you can get, and Tokyo 2020's handover ceremony gave a glimpse into a Games that will have its own, very different identity. Neon, high-tech graphics and robotic-like dancers on hidden, body-controlled scooters marked an about-turn from Rio's natural rhythms.
The ceremony included a section marking the transition to the next Olympiad – that of Tokyo 2020, featuring the appearence of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who emerged from a green pipe in a Super Mario-inspired routine. (RIO 2016)
The emergence of prime minster Shinzo Abe from a large green pipe dressed in the guise of 1980s video game icon Super Mario did indicate Tokyo 2020 has inherited Rio's admirable sense of self-deprecation.
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. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Bringing the Games full circle, Renato Sorriso, the quick-stepping road sweeper who charmed the world during the London 2012 Olympic Games closing ceremony, led the stadium into an inevitable final street carnival.
By Luke Norman
RIO 2016
21/08/2016
Fireworks explode during the Closing Ceremony 2016 Olympic Games at Maracana Stadium on August 21, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)