Olympics closing ceremony: BBC News Review 2022

The 2016 Olympic Games have finished with a spectacular closing ceremony. Join Sian and Catherine in News Review as they bring you this exciting story and the language you need to understand it.
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The story

The Olympic Games have officially ended with a colourful ceremony in the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro. The entertainment included Brazil’s world-famous samba music. The president of the Rio organising committee, Carlos Arthur Nuzman said he was proud of his city, his country and his people. Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic committee, said they had been a marvellous games in a marvellous city.

Tim Allman – BBC commentator

Like the opening ceremony, the closing ceremony had plenty of fireworks and lots of vibrant colour.

As Carmen Miranda played, the athletes arrived. This time instead of separately, nation by nation, they came in as one, what was described as the spirit of togetherness, the Olympic spirit.

Then the symbolic handing over of the Olympic flag. Japan, the hosts four years from now, getting the chance to hint at what might be coming in 2020. The country’s Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, kicking things off dressed as one of the Super Mario Bros.

Key words and phrases

kick off
begin or cause sth to begin

pass the baton
give responsibility for something important to another person or group

wrap up
finish something