{O/C} From July 23rd to August 8 - 17 days have passed, and the "2020" Tokyo Olympic Games has come to a close with a frolicsome and celebratory fireworks show.
At the end of this story, we take you to France for a live feed as a prelude to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
{SOT}
In the past, every year's Olympic Games closed with a big bash.
But this year...
The COVID-19 pandemic left the stadium unprecedentedly empty.
Christened with "2020" but in reality held in mid-2021 after being delayed and delayed for a year thanks to the pandemic, the 17-day Games finally drew to a close with a frolicsome and celebratory fireworks show with the theme "Worlds We Share".
At the outset, many believed the outcome of holding that Olympic Games amid the pandemic would be mediocre at best, but apocalyptic at worst, since a serious virus outbreak could result.
Since athletes are mandated to leave Tokyo 48 hours upon completing all their competitions, not every athlete had the honour of attending the closing ceremony.
But thousands of Olympians still packed the stadium, clustering together and taking photos as this year's Olympic Games is literally one of a kind.
The entire Games was fraught with dangers and difficulties as there was a very small virus outbreak and some athletes were lax in protecting themselves in some venues such as the aquatics center.
{Fireworks show 55:30}
Thomas Bach, the chairman of the International Olympic Committee said he had worried that the Games would result in a public health disaster, but as it turns out, "what we have seen here is totally different." He was clearly relieved.
{Speech - 1:34.70-2:35.96}
"The smiles in your eyes have warmed our hearts." (Applause) Said Bach, "Our warm thanks go to the National Olympic Committee, the International Federations. Dear athletes, 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, Tokyo 2020. You were faster, you went higher, you were stronger because we all stood together - in solidarity."
The ceremony pivoted to a live feed Paris in France, which is the host of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Back in Tokyo, it's time to say goodbye, albeit unwillingly.
{Official closing - 2:56.43-3:58.06}
Thomas Bach: "And now, I have to mark the end of this most challenging Olympic journey. I declare the Games of the 32nd Olympiad closed." (Applause)
The Olympic cauldron that was lit 17 days ago finally closed right after his declaration, becoming a moon.
Marking the end of this most challenging Games ever in history, which officials pulled off, and passing the baton to Paris 2024.
Scenes of athletes displaying their courage, perseverance and tenacity, and their performance enrapturing and enthralling everyone in the world, will be etched in our memory.
{Cauldron closing - 6:26.13}
And pleasant recollections of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games will not be transient, but will assuredly last in perpetuity.
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