(Rio de Janeiro) – Rio de Janeiro has bid farewell to the 31st Summer Olympic Games that saw the participation of more than ten thousand athletes in the biggest sports showpiece.
The event was attended by presidents of eight countries, including Japan, the host of the Tokyo 2020 Games, and Budapest the bidder of the 2024 Games.
During the closing ceremony, Saoud Al Zaabi, who took part in the 1500m race on his Olympic debut, carried the UAE flag to join Nada Al Badwawi who lifted the state flag in the opening ceremony.
The ceremony, which was held in Maracana, was attended by 50,000 spectators and included several spots, and festivities coloured with natural and local culture and music, described as iconic. It featured 3000 volunteers, and 300 show individuals.
The newly elected members of Athletes Committees of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) were introduced, and volunteer teams were decorated. The national anthem of Greece was played as tribute to its role as the founder of the Games. IOC President Thomas Bach received the Olympic Flag from Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes, and passed it over to the Yuriko Koike, Governor of Tokyo, while the national anthem of Japan played accompanied by hi-tech optical performances.
Rio Olympiad saw the UAE winning its second Olympic medal, thanks to Judo player Serjio Toma, who clinched the Bronze in the Under 81 KG. The UAE participated in six sports: Judo, shooting, swimming, athletics, weightlifting and cycling.
