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PH hailed as the top Southeast Asian nation as Tokyo 2020 Olympics comes to an end

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By Regina Elaine Vendivil

The Philippines was hailed as the top-performing Southeast Asian country as its delegates fully unleashed their power in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics which came to an end yesterday, 8th of August 2021.

This country’s run in the 2020 Olympics is considered the most successful campaign after the Philippines finished 50th in the medal tally with four medals, including the country’s first-ever gold medal. 

The “restrained” closing ceremony kicked off with the entrance and the raising of the Japanese flag that was accompanied by the all-female theatre group, Takarazuka Revue’s singing of the national anthem.

The athletes from 206 countries then marched around the stadium while holding their national flags high, our flag bearer who’s also an Olympic silver medalist—Nesthy Petecio—was also seen representing our country and the 18 other Philippine delegates. 

The delegates of each country marching around the stadium raising their respective flags during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics closing ceremony. Photo Source: Olympics on Twitter.

The ceremony made sure that the athletes will exit the Olympics on a memorable note through the majestic display of lights that represent the Olympic spirit in everyone, forming Olympics Rings that symbolize unity. 

The Olympic Rings are formed during the bright light display featured in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics closing ceremony. Photo Source: Olympics on Twitter.

Various performances of Japanese locals followed and allowed the athletes to relax and enjoy their last moments in the 2020 Summer games.

The volunteers of the Olympics were also given recognition to honor their hard work and dedication to make this year’s event possible despite the challenges brought by the pandemic.

The national flag of France was then raised with the people of Paris celebrating through their exhibitions at the Eiffel Tower, for they will be the next host that will carry on the spirit in the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics. 

The colors of France’s national flag are seen in the exhibitions that took place at the Eiffel Tower . Photo Source: Olympics on Twitter.

To conclude the event, the Olympic flame was doused along with the fireworks display that touched the hearts of millions from all over the world. 

As the Tokyo 2020 Olympics comes to an end, the Olympic Flame is extinguished as part of the closing ceremony Photo Source: Olympics on Twitter.
An elaborate and colorful firework display was featured in the conclusion of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Photo Source: Olympics on Twitter.

The Philippine delegates of the Tokyo 2020 were able to bring home the most medals in our nation’s history, led by the first-ever gold medalist weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, silver medalists boxers Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam, and bronze medalist boxer Eumir Marcial.

The Olympics Games may be over but the fighting spirit goes on with the Paralympics, the multi-sport events for athletes with disabilities, occurring this month, August 24 to September 5, 2021.

References:

ABS-CBN News. (2021c, August 8). Arigato Japan, Bonjour France: Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics closes. Retrieved from https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/multimedia/slideshow/08/08/21/tokyo-2020-summer-olympics-closes

beIN SPORTS Asia. (2021, August 8). FULL Recap of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Closing Ceremony [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kt2ffCcXujI&t=634s 

Kennedy, M. (2021, August 8). Closing Ceremony Caps Off A Dramatic, Bittersweet And Ultimately Uplifting Olympics. National Public Radio. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/sections/tokyo-olympics-live-updates/2021/08/08/1025880512/closing-ceremony-caps-off-a-dramatic-bittersweet-and-ultimately-uplifting-olympi 

Mather, V. (2021, August 8). The cauldron goes out, and the ceremony — like the Games — ends with an empty feeling. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/08/sports/olympics/olympics-closing-ceremony.html 

Oeser, F. (2021, August 8). Closing Ceremony Marks End Of Olympics. NBC Sports. Retrieved from https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/tokyo-olympics/closing-ceremony-marks-end-olympics