Tokyo Olympics Closing Ceremony (Photos): Japan Says Goodbye To Games With Ska And Fireworks As Paris Takes Over For 2024

Unlike the opening ceremony where countries’ entire athlete delegations parade into the Olympic Stadium, the closing ceremony featured flag bearers from each nation, with javelin thrower Kara Winger representing the U.S.

The Japanese hosts presented musical performances during the closing ceremony, including both more traditional performances celebrating Japan’s heritage and a performance by the Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra of Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy.”

The closing ceremony featured fireworks and sweeping projections, including an “imaginary park” to help illustrate daily life in Japan for athletes that couldn’t explore the country due to Covid-19 restrictions, as well as an image of lights rising up to form the Olympic rings that appeared to be computer generated only for the television broadcast.

The ceremony also included the final medal ceremonies of the Games, for the men’s and women’s marathon winners.

The Olympic flag was passed to Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo before the ceremony cut over to a celebration in France, where the French Air Force’s Patrouille de France flew fighter jets around the Eiffel Tower spouting red, white and blue smoke as athletes and other Parisians gathered and French President Emmanuel Macron declared the Olympic slogan, “Higher, faster, stronger.”

After Olympic organizers spoke and officially declared the Games closed, the Olympic torch was extinguished and the ceremony ended with a sign in lights reading “Arigato,” the Japanese word for “thank you.”