The 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio wrapped up in yet another vibrant and beautiful carnival-inspired closing ceremony last Sunday night.
The ceremony started with interpretive dancers dressed as Macaws – birds native to North and South America – representing various landmarks in the host city, including Sugar Loaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer, before gathering to form the shape of the Olympic rings.
Samba icon Martinho da Vila then performed a rendition of the song “Carinhoso” along with his daughters and granddaughter.
His performance was then followed by a choir of 27 children singing the Brazilian National Anthem, before moving on to the flag parade.
The ceremony also featured a performance by Norwegian DJ Kygo and singer-songwriter Julia Michaels, singing the song “Carry Me”, and also included the games' final medal awards for the men's marathon.
After the Olympic flag was officially handed from IOC President Thomas Bach to Governor of Tokyo Yuriko Koike, all the attention falls on Japan, the next country which will host the 2020 Summer Olympics.
One of the most talked about moments from this year’s closing ceremony was the teaser trailer for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, which featured clips of Japanese athletes including famous anime and game icons like Hello Kitty, Pac Man, Captain Tsubasa and Doraemon.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at #ClosingCeremony as Super Mario to let you know that #Tokyo2020 will be lit. pic.twitter.com/gtXg0BtiI0— Hardys Closet® (@HardysCloset) August 22, 2016
Meanwhile, Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made a grand entrance by cosplaying as Super Mario and emerging from a giant sewer pipe in the middle of the stadium.
Gymnasts from Aomori University then performed an awesome futuristic dance routine highlighting Japan's electronic culture, before the presentation ended with the logo of the forthcoming Tokyo games along with the lines, “See you in Tokyo!”
Brazilian songstress Mariene de Castro sang in front of the Olympic cauldron as the flame was extinguished, and the ceremony officially ended with a fireworks display and a tribute to Rio's signature event, the Carnival.
