The Tokyo Olympics, christened with “2020” but held in mid-2021 after being interrupted for a year by the coronavirus, glided to their conclusion in a COVID-emptied stadium Sunday night.
A rollicking closing ceremony with the theme “Worlds We Share” — an optimistic but ironic notion at this human moment — featured everything from stunt bikes to intricate light shows as it tried to convey a “celebratory and liberating atmosphere” for athletes after a tense two weeks. It pivoted to a live feed from Paris, host of the 2024 Summer Games. And with that, the strangest Olympic Games on record closed their books for good.
Held in the middle of a resurging pandemic, rejected by many Japanese and plagued by months of administrative problems, these Games presented logistical and medical obstacles like no other, offered up serious conversations about mental health — and, when it came to sport, delivered both triumphs and a few surprising shortfalls.
“You were faster, you went higher, you were stronger because we all stood together — in solidarity,” Bach told gathered Olympians as he closed the Games. “This was even more remarkable given the many challenges you had to face because of the pandemic. In these difficult times, you give the world the most precious of gifts: hope.”said International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach.
“For the first time since the pandemic began,” he said, “the entire world came together.”
Volunteers stand as International Olympic Committee’s President Thomas Bach gives a speech during the closing ceremony in the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/David Goldman) TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 08: President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach speaks during the Closing Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 08, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 08: A view as the flag bearers of the competing nations enter the stadium during the Closing Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 08, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) Athletes of the United States pose during the closing ceremony in the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (Dan Mullen/Pool Photo via AP) The Olympic flame burns prior to the closing ceremony in the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
People gathered near the National Stadium to watch the firework display launched during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Kantaro Komiya) TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 08: Flagbearer Kara Winger of Team United States during the Closing Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 08, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 08: Anti-Olympics protesters demonstrate outside of the Olympics Stadium after the Closing Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on August 08, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Yuichi Yamazaki/Getty Images) TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 08: Fireworks erupt above the stadium during the Closing Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 08, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) Athletes from Japan take a selfie during the closing ceremony in the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian) TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 08: A general view during the Closing Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 08, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 08: ‘ARIGATO’ is on display during the Closing Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 08, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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