The Tokyo 2020 Olympics, which began on July 23, 2021, has officially ended on August 8, 2021, Sunday. Host country Japan had a spectacular closing ceremony for the athletes and the viewers worldwide.
Despite the challenges of staging the Olympic Games in the midst of the pandemic, Japan was able to mount the biggest international sporting event in the world with minor hiccups.
Although the seats in the stadium were mostly empty and there were no cheering crowd to make the closing ceremony livelier, Tokyo still managed to give us a wonderful conclusion to the Olympics with a taste of Japanese culture and arts in the performances and a spectacular visual show involving jaw-dropping lights and fireworks display.
Also, for the first time ever, the closing ceremony also featured live celebrations from the next host city of the Olympic Games, Paris, France.
In case you missed it, check out the highlights of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics closing ceremony in the gallery below.
Tokyo, Japan staged a wonderful closing ceremony for this year's Olympic Games. Continue browsing to see the highlights.
Despite not having live audiences, the closing ceremony pushes through as the rest of the world watches from the comforts of their homes.
The parade of athletes begins with the entrance of the flagbearers.
Flagbearers form a circle in the middle of the stadium.
Participating athletes from all over mask up to join the closing ceremony.
Omotenashi in Japan means to wholeheartedly look after guests. So, just like what the Olmypics tweeted, in the spirit of omotenashi, the stadium floor is “transformed into a grassy field for the athletes to relax.”
Athletes take a group selfie during the Tokyo Olympics closing ceremony.
Despite wearing face masks, athletes still manage to have fun and show off their moves.
The spectacular lights show was hands down one of the highlights of the closing ceremony.
The Olympic Rings are considered a timeless symbol of unity and it represents the many flags of the world.
The amazing Olympic Rings from another angle
The Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra plays for the athletes celebrating in the stadium and for the viewers all over the world.
Japanese singer Milet sings “The Hymn to Love” in Japanese and French during the Tokyo Olympics closing ceremony.
The last medals for the men's and women's marathon events are awarded to Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge and Peres Jepchirchir.
Images of the Tokyo Olympics volunteers are flashed all over the stadium in recognition of their hard work and contribution.
Tokyo Mayor Yuriko Koike waves the Olympic flag during the handover.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo waves the Olympic flag after it was passed on to her by IOC President Thomas Bach.
Paris, France is the host of the next Olympic Games in 2024. For the first time ever, live celebrations from the next host city were featured during the closing ceremony.
France's elite air display team, the Patrouille de France, flew over the Eiffel Tower, releasing blue, white, and red smoke, as French President Emmanuel Macron delivered the Olympic motto: “Faster, Higher, Stronger -- Together.”
The Olympic flame is extinguished.
Amazing fireworks light up the stadium one last time during the Tokyo Olympics closing ceremony.
Arigato, or “thank you” in Japanese, is flashed on the stadium's giant LED screen as the closing ceremony comes to an end.