We are so sad to see them go!
The Olympics went through their huge closing ceremonies last night, and as U.S. women’s gymnasts like Aly Raisman, Simone Biles, Madison Kocian, and Laurie Hernandez got decked out (above) to head to the amazing event, we were stuck at home with a serious case of FOMO, sad to see the Games go!
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Last night’s closing ceremonies were AH-Mazing, too — here are some highlights, ICYMI!!
The night was a heavily-Brazilian themed event, with local celebs coming out to pay homage to the music, food, culture, dance, and so much more that makes the country great.
That included opening musical acts like Martinho da Vila, an icon of Brazilian samba, who took the stage with his daughters and granddaughter (so cute!) after a fireworks set to open the night (below):
The BIG moment of the ceremonies, as far as the Americans are concerned, at least, was Miz Biles herself, walking out with the flag!!
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She had teased it a couple days ago (below) of course, in her epically cute fashion:
hey @ZacEfron
I’m carrying the flag for closing ceremony!! Will you still be here ? #GoTeamUSA
— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) August 20, 2016
OMG! Love it!!
But she carried that flag SO proudly, as you can see (below):
Everyone wanted to stop and take a selfie with #USA‘s @Simone_Biles at the #ClosingCeremony. https://t.co/NgblGZD4gY https://t.co/q1cWOe009V
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) August 22, 2016
Only problem? Well, she was a little shorter than Michael Phelps when he carried the thing in about two weeks ago at the opening ceremony! Ha!!
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Nevertheless, everyone took notice of how well she carried it — and how many selfies she stopped for along the way — including one Barack Obama (below):
Couldn’t be prouder of #TeamUSA. Your determination and passion inspired so many of us. You carried that flag high tonight, @Simone_Biles!
— President Obama (@POTUS) August 22, 2016
Gold medal? Check. Flag carrying at the Olympics? Check! Having the President tweet at you?! CHECK!!
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Perhaps the highlight of the closing ceremony, though, was Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe donning a Mario costume and going through a SUPER elaborate video and on-site ruse in preparation for the Games coming to Tokyo in 2020!
Ch-ch-check out that WHOLE thing go down (below):
Japanese PM Shinzo Abe cosplays as Mario at Rio Closing Ceremony w/ Captain Tsubasa, Hello Kitty and Doraemon pic.twitter.com/1CMjSYnV5I
— Yuri (@yurixlax) August 22, 2016
Wow!!
As well-prepared and fun as that was, if that’s any indication of the 2020 Games, things might be really, really well done in four years!!
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But wait! There was also the weird stuff!
Not only was it a rainy event with the wet stuff pouring down throughout, but at some point, a bunch of trees started… dancing?!
Move over, Left Shark, because human shrubbery is coming for you (below)! Ha!!
#ClosingCeremony did this happen or am I drunk? pic.twitter.com/u85AnmS4tw
— Uldouz (@Uldouz) August 22, 2016
Too funny!!
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Above all, though, everything cleared out pretty quickly afterwards, as you can tell from a shot this morning on TODAY‘s final set from Rio (below):
Where’d everybody go? Live from #Rio one last time wrapping up spectacular Closing Ceremony @TODAYshow pic.twitter.com/A5Kwjmnb33
— Peter Alexander (@PeterAlexander) August 22, 2016
Awww!
It was a great two weeks, and the Games are special in part because they only come around once every four years, and yet it’s so hard to watch them go.
Bye bye, Rio!
[Image via Madison Kocian/Instagram.]
