Goodbye, Rio; hello, Tokyo

Artificial rain extinguishes the Olympic flame during the closing ceremony. [Photo by Wei Xiaohao/chinadaily.com.cn]

SPORT EXCELLENCE

Bach believed excellent performance from the world's top athletes contributed greatly to the success of the Games.

"We have seen iconic athletes across all the sports," he said on the eve of the closing ceremony. "The level of competition over all the sports was extremely high and I can only congratulate the athletes for their stunning performances and say thank you because this really is the spirit of the Olympic Games."

Twenty-two world records and nearly 70 Olympic records were set during the Games which saw 306 Olympic crowns go to 59 countries and regions and a record 87 different delegations have medaled in Rio where 10 teams including Fiji, Singapore, Vietnam and Puerto Rico ended their Olympic gold drought.

"Lightning Bolt" Usain Bolt from Jamaica proved that he is one of the greatest athletes of all time by raising his gold tally to nine in an athletics program after the 30-year-old completed the triple of 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay for the third consecutive Games.

The Rio Games welcomed the debut of a refugees team. Without winning any medals, their appearance alone was enough to send an encouraging message to 60 million people who were forced to flee home.