Thomas Bach praises 'remarkable' Olympians as flame goes out on Tokyo 2020

Closing ceremony brings an end to an unprecedented Olympic Games

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  Fireworks light up the sky over the Olympic Stadium during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

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  Fireworks above the stadium during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

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  Fireworks go off during the Tokyo Olympics closing ceremony on Sunday, August 8.

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  Fireworks illuminate over National Stadium during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics on Sunday, August 8, 2021.

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  Fireworks over the Olympic Stadium during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

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  Flag bearers during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 08, 2021.

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  Performers take part in the closing ceremony.

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  People gather near the National Stadium to watch the fireworks during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics.

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  Athletes with their national flag during the closing ceremony of the 2020 Olympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo.

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  Performers during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

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  Supporters gather outside the National Stadium ahead of the Tokyo Olympic closing ceremony.

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  Flag bearers of the competing nations enter the stadium during the closing ceremony in Tokyo.

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  From left: President of the IOC Thomas Bach, Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike attend the closing ceremony.

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  Fireworks light up the sky during the closing ceremony at the Olympic Stadium.

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  Ukrainian athletes during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

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  Athletes carrying nations' flags walk past the Olympic flame as they enter the stadium during the closing ceremony.

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  Belarus's athletes enter the stadium during the closing ceremony.

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  Members of Team United States enter the stadium during the closing ceremony.

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  Fireworks during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

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  Members of Team Mexico during the closing ceremony.

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  Fireworks above the National Stadium during the closing ceremony.

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  Protesters outside the Japan National Stadium before the closing ceremony of the Tokyo Olympic Games.

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  Flag bearers of the competing nations enter the stadium during the closing ceremony.

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  Athletes enjoy the Tokyo Olympics closing ceremony.

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  Skateboarders perform during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

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  The Olympic cauldron with the Olympic flames during the closing ceremony.

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  Artists perform during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games,

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  Closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

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  Members of Team Australia during the closing ceremony.

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  Skippers perform during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

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  Closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

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  Athletes take a break during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

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  Fireworks go off around the Olympic Stadium during the closing ceremony.

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  Performers take part in the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

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  Performers gather during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

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  Performers during the closing ceremony on Sunday.

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  Children perform during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Thomas Bach, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) president, paid tribute to the thousands of "remarkable" athletes who competed in the Tokyo Games amid unique challenges as the closing ceremony brought to an end an Olympics like no other.

Sixteen days after Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka lit the Olympic torch to signal the start of the Games, the flame was doused at Sunday's closing ceremony. The ceremony included a ska band on a stage with people dancing, juggling and football players moving around an elevated stage in the centre of the stadium.

Medals for the marathon were presented — an Olympic tradition — followed by traditional Japanese dances inside the stadium and on the video board. An opera singer performed during the IOC anthem and the transition to Paris 2024, which included a flypast in front of thousands of fans in front of the Eiffel Tower, took place.

The stripped back closing ceremony was a reminder of the unique nature of the Tokyo Games. Delayed by 12 months in response to the coronavirus pandemic, Tokyo 2020 went ahead without spectators and under strict restrictions and safety measures.

Despite the many challenges, the more than 10,000 athletes who participated remained the stars of the show as global audiences witnessed countless moments of sporting greatness and inspiration.

“For the first time since the pandemic began, the entire world came together,” Bach said. “Sport returned to centre-stage. Billions of people around the globe were united by emotion, sharing moments of joy and inspiration. This gives us hope. This gives us faith in the future.

“Over the last 16 days, you amazed us with your sporting achievements. With your excellence, with your joy, with your tears, you created the magic of these Olympic Games," he added.

“You were faster, you went higher, you were stronger, because we all stood together – in solidarity and peace.

“You inspired us with this unifying power of sport. This is even more remarkable given the many challenges you had to face because of the pandemic."