Spectacular end to Rio Olympics (in pictures)

Rain, heavy at times, failed to dampen a colourful and exuberant closing ceremony as Tokyo took up the baton promising to host the best Games yet in 2020.

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Athletes wearing raincoats parade during the closing ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro on August 21, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Ed JONES

Olympics: 'Marvellous' Rio flames out as Super Abe takes baton

Rio de Janeiro, Aug 22, 2016, AFP – The Rio Olympics ended in a blaze of colour with an exuberant closing ceremony as Tokyo took up the baton promising to host the best Games yet in 2020.

Dancers perform during the closing ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro on August 21, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Greg BAKER

AFP PHOTO / Martin BERNETTI

/ AFP PHOTO / John MACDOUGALL

Brazilian singer Mariene de Castro performs during the extinguishing of the Olympic flame during the closing ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. / AFP PHOTO / Leon NEAL

After a rollercoaster fortnight which mixed off-field hitches with compelling sporting drama, Olympics chief Thomas Bach hailed a "marvellous" Games in the Brazilian city.

"These were marvellous Olympic Games in the marvellous city," said Bach, as he declared the Games closed and the Olympic flame was extinguished.

"These Olympic Games are leaving a unique legacy for generations to come. History will talk about a Rio de Janeiro before and a much better Rio de Janeiro after the Olympic Games."

At the closing ceremony, thousands of fans and athletes donned ponchos on a wet and windy night for a colourful festival of Brazilian culture and music with bursts of spectacular fireworks.

Smiling and waving athletes danced into the Maracana stadium taking selfies as Rio's 16-day Summer Games closed ahead of the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made a comical cameo as Nintendo video game character Super Mario as Tokyo set out its store for 2020.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach (L) gives the Olympic flag to Tokyo's governor Yuriko Koike during the closing ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro on August 21, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Fabrice COFFRINI

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe holds a red ball during the closing ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro on August 21, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Ed JONES

Japan's athletes parade during the closing ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro / AFP PHOTO / Odd ANDERSEN

"The Japanese government will... work hard so it will be the best Olympics ever," Abe said.

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