TOKYO — Japan took its Olympic bow on Sunday.
Tokyo passed the baton to Paris after staging a Games that was delayed by Covid-19 and dismayed a skeptical public but nonetheless still delivered its share of memorable moments.
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Just like the opening ceremony, was a celebration of sports and Japan. It ended with the word "arigato," which is Japanese for "thank you," displayed on a giant screen as the athletes strolled off the field.
And all of it played out at the Tokyo Olympic stadium before an audience of mostly empty seats.
In the French capital, crowds gathered to celebrate the handover of the summer games to Paris 2024, dancing and celebrating at the foot of the Eiffel Tower while fighter planes trailing a tricolor of blue, white and red smoke swooped through the sky.
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"I declare the games of the 32nd Olympiad closed," Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, said as the world bid goodbye to a Games like no other.
"See you in Paris."
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