Tokyo Olympics Highlights: Thomas Bach declares the Games of the 32nd Olympiad closed

The closing ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics has ended. Neeraj Chopra created history, won the gold medal in the men's javelin throw final. Wrestler Bajrang Punia won the bronze medal in Men's Freestyle 65kg against Kazakhstan's Daulet Niyazbekov, 8-0. As the games wind down, India is not participating in many events on Day 16. Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge won men's Olympic marathon gold and retained his title.

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I declare the Games of the 32nd Olympiad closed. In accordance with tradition, I call upon the youth of the world to assemble in Paris, France, in three years' time to celebrate the Games of the 33rd Olympiad: IOC president Thomas Bach.

A historic moment!

Traditionally, the men's marathon victory ceremony has taken place during the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games.

At Tokyo 2020, the women's marathon medal winners get the same honour.

Women's podium:

Peres Jepchirchir (Kenya)
Brigid Kosgei (Kenya)
Molly Seidel (US)

The first of tonight's formalities, with the playing of the Greek anthem and the raising of the flag of the Hellenic Republic.

This marks the link between the Ancient Games and modern Games.

Up next, two victory ceremonies – for the women's and men's marathons.

Credit: Olympics.com

Performers take part in the closing ceremony. Credit: Reuters Photo.

Performers dance during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Credit: AFP Photo

Stadium is lighted up during the closing ceremony. Credit: Reuters Photo.

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The Olympic flag and the national flag of Japan flutter in front of empty seats during the closing ceremony. Credit: Reuters Photo

Athletes gather by the The Olympic Cauldron and the Olympic flame to celebrate during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium, in Tokyo. Credit: AFP Photo

Those muscles! Athletes walk across the field during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Credit: AFP Photo

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Athletes carrying nations' flags arrive with their national flag during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium, in Tokyo. Credit: AFP Photo

A flag bearer carries the flag of Japan during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium, in Tokyo. Credit: AFP Photo

Athletes delegations arrive with their national flag during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium, in Tokyo. Credit: AFP Photo

The Olympic torch and cauldron during the closing ceremony. Credit: Reuters Photo

General view of fireworks above the stadium during the closing ceremony. Credit: Reuters Photo

The arrival of the dignitaries and the Japanese flag

His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Akishino has entered the stadium alongside IOC President Thomas Bach.

The Japanese flag is now carried into the stadium by judo Olympic champion TAKATO Naohisa, Youth Olympic Games champion in breaking KAWAI Ramu, swimming Olympic champion OHASHI Yui, a doctor YOKOTA Hiroyuki, artistic gymnastics medallist KITAZONO Takeru, and fashion model Amane, who has a leg impairment.

Source: Olympics.com

General view of empty seats ahead of the closing ceremony. Credit: Reuters Photo

People gather at Paris' Olympics fan zone to watch the closing ceremony of the Tokyo games, in front of the Eiffel Tower, at Trocadero Gardens in Paris, France. Credit: Reuters Photo

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Cuba won their fourth Olympic boxing title of the Tokyo Games on the final day of action on Sunday for their best performance in 17 years, as Team USA again failed to strike gold.

The classy Andy Cruz was the man to ensure a best gold-medal return since the five at Athens 2004, and did some Michael Jackson dance moves after defeating Keyshawn Davis on split points for the lightweight crown.

Cruz, already a two-time world champion and now a gold medallist at only 25, adds his Tokyo title to the ones won by compatriots Roniel Iglesias, Arlen Lopez and Julio la Cruz. (AFP)

The organisers of the Tokyo Olympics said on Sunday 19 athletes could not participate in the Games due to positive coronavirus tests, and three people related to the tournament had been hospitalised due to the infections but have since recovered. (Reuters)

More history made as Kennys steal the velodrome show again

Jason Kenny was talking about winning his ninth Olympic medal while his wife Laura was doing circuits around him, attempting to win her seventh.

As he spoke, his eyes darted to the track and then up to race on the big screen, Great Britain's most successful male and female Olympians in perfect harmony again.

Laura missed out on gold in the women's omnium, an early crash on Sunday derailing her bid to defend the title she won in Rio.

But she already had collected a sixth gold medal in Japan in the madison, as well as a silver in the team pursuit. (AFP)

Harrington, Cruz win lightweight golds on final day in Tokyo

Ireland's Kellie Harrington won an enthralling battle against Brazil's Beatriz Ferreira and Cuba's Andy Cruz scored a split decision win over Keyshawn Davis in their lightweight gold medal bouts on the final day of boxing at the Tokyo Games.

Harrington narrowly lost the first round before finding her range and rhythm, using her superior height and reach to circle on the outside and score while staying out of range of her hard-hitting opponent.

The 31-year-old showed her experience late on, coming inside to land to the body before clinching to tie up Ferreira and prevent her from striking back as she became the first Irish woman to win gold since Katie Taylor in 2012. (Reuters)

Sue Bird capped off her unblemished 17-year Olympics run with a record fifth gold medal.

All she and longtime USteammate Diana Taurasi have done on the international stage is win and now stand alone with five gold medals — the first basketball players ever to accomplish that feat — after a 90-75 win over Japan on Sunday at the Tokyo Games.

"Couldn’t have asked for a better ending. There’s really not much else to say," Bird said. (Reuters)

All-conquering US win seventh straight women's Olympic basketball title

A rampant United States swept past Japan to their seventh straight women's basketball crown Sunday, with Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi collecting their fifth Olympic gold medals to cap remarkable careers.

Brittney Griner scored a game-high 30 points with five rebounds and two assists as the hosts were overpowered 90-75 by a team that stretched their Olympic win streak to 55 games dating back to their last defeat in the 1992 semis.

They went to half-time with a 50-39 lead and there was no stopping them, with a valiant Japan settling for second place and a best-ever Olympic finish. (AFP)

Organisers of the Tokyo Olympics reported 26 new Games-related Covid-19 cases on Sunday, bringing the total since July 1 to 430 cases.

Hassan gets 3 distance medals in amazing Olympic odyssey

By the time she reached the 65th and final lap of her eight-day Olympic odyssey, Sifan Hassan's neck had seized up and she couldn't turn her head. She could barely breathe and she couldn't feel her arms anymore.

As she neared the end, she couldn't see properly and thought "why did they move the finish line?"

Her legs knew right where it was.

Deep into her sixth race across three distances that covered more than 24 kilometers on Tokyo's sweltering Olympic track, Hassan burst past world-record holder Letesenbet Gidey to win the 10,000-meter gold on Saturday. (AP)

As the curtain falls on the Tokyo Olympics, the focus immediately switches to the Beijing Winter Games, with a growing coronavirus outbreak in China and boycott calls looming large.

Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge retains men's Olympic marathon title

Kenyan marathon star Eliud Kipchoge produced a totally dominant run to retain his Olympic title on the streets of Sapporo on Sunday.

The Kenyan world record holder clocked 2hr 08min 38sec to win gold, becoming only the third man to win consecutive marathon titles.

Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands claimed silver in 2:09.58, just ahead of Belgium's Bashir Abdi in bronze.

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