Tokyo Olympics Closing Ceremony Highlights: Arigato Japan, Bonjour Paris

Arigato!

Indian contingent had a gala time.

Don't worry, it's not goodbye from Tokyo, yet. We have Paralympic Games starting in two weeks' time. Till then,sayonara 

Tokyo will be missed. And now we wait for Paris 2024.

2020 Summer Games Live Closing Ceremony: There;s a woman and a group of children on the stage singing. And the cauldron is closing, The flame has been extinguished. The ceremony comes to an emotional end. This has been a wild emotional ride everyone. Thanks for sticking with this through these 16 days and celebrating the the spirit of competition as we witnessed the world-class athletes setting new records and giving us memories for a lifetime. Fireworks across the stadium, lining up the roof. ARIGATO.

There were plans to fly the largest ever flag in history at the Eiffel Tower but windy conditions have put paid to the attempt.

Tokyo 2020 Closing Ceremony Live Updates: "I declare the Games closed," With these words, Thomas Bach officially brings an end to the 2020 Tokyo Games. But stick with us as the closing ceremony continues.

IOC president Thomas Bach takes the centrestage now: Athletes went faster, went higher and were stronger because they all stood together in solidarity. You inspired us with this unified symbol of sport. And it was even more remarkable because of what you faced in the pandemic. For the first times since the pandemic the world came together. People were united by emotion, sharing moments of joy and inspiration. This gives us hope, this gives us faith in the future. The Olympic Games of Tokyo were the Olympic Games of hope, solidarity and peace. You the Japanese people can be extremely proud of what you achieved. On behalf of all the athletes we say thank you Tokyo, thank you Japan.

"I would like to express my feelings of gratitude and respect to all the athletes, and to everyone else who overcame so many difficulties to so thoroughly prepare for these Games and deliver their absolute best performances." - Tokyo Olympics organising committee president Seiko Hashimoto

Bonjour, Paris!

Tokyo 2020 Closing Ceremony Live Updates: This might be the greatest handover ceremony of all time. Breathtaking. Imagine if the invitation was this grand, the acutal show would be something else.

2020 Summer Games Live Closing Ceremony: French president Emmanuel Macron invites the world to Paris for the 2024 Summer Games from the top of the Eiffel Tower

French aerial patrol fly over the fan village of The Trocadero set in front of The Eiffel Tower, in Paris. (AFP Photo)

That handover ceremony literally was out of this world with French astronout concluding a musical journey that took us from the Stade de France to the Notre - Dame Cathedral and several other French landmarks. Breathtaking, Almost forgot how outdoors are like in the past one year or so.

It burns bright!

A version of La Marseillais is being played. And what do we have? Thomas Pesquet is playing saxophone at the International Space Station!

It is indeed!

The party has begun in the French capital

Handing over of the flag ceremony underway: Olympic anthem is played first and then the Olympic flag lowered. The Governor of Tokyo is now handing over the flag to IOC president Thomas Bach who in turn hands it over to  the first female mayor of Paris Ana María Hidalgo.

More dancers

Tokyo Olympics Closing Ceremony Live: A video paying tributes to the over 70,000 volunteers who made the Games possible. Several volunteers being presented with gifts on the stage now. Now, a ceremony to pay tributes to the fans whpo cannot be at the Tokyo Games 

"Gathering in the stadium for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games became a wish unfulfilled, but we hope that this can be a moment for us to come together to wish for peace around the world. A moment for each and every one of us to reflect, ponder, and remember as we watch various traditional festivals from all around Japan." Tokyo 2020 organisers.

Ukraine athletes pose during the closing ceremony in the Olympic Stadium

(From L) Second-placed Netherlands' Abdi Nageeye, first-placed Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge and Belgium's Bashir Abdi celebrate on the podium during the victory ceremony of the men's marathon event.

(From L) Silver medallist Kenya's Brigid Kosgei, Gold medallist Kenya's Peres Jepchirchir and Bronze medallist USA's Molly Seidel stand on the podium during the victory ceremony of the women's marathon event.

2020 Summer Games Live Closing Ceremony: Now, the presentation of the athletes who have been elected for the International Olympic Committee’s Athletes’ Commission: Pau Gasol, Maja Wloszczowska, Federica Pellegrini and Yuki Ota were elected by their fellow athletes.

2020 Summer Games Live Closing Ceremony: Time forthe men's ceremony. Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge took gold, Abdi Nageeye of Netherlands took silver and Bashir Abdi of Belgium has the bronze.

Tokyo Olympics Closing Ceremony Live: In women's marathon, Kenya's Peres Jepchirchir won gold while her team-mate Brigid Kosgei took silver. Molly Seidel of USA took the bronze.

2020 Tokyo Games Closing Ceremony Live: The medals ceremony for the men's and women's marathon events is being held now.

Time for the national anthem of Greece.

2020 Summer Games Live Closing Ceremony: singer-songwriter Milet is performing now.  "Her deep, husky voice is unlike any other and has made her a growing presence on the global stage" - state the organisers.