Tokyo Bids Farewell to the Rio Olympic Games

The ceremony marking the handover of the Olympic flag to Tokyo featured aspectacular showcase of Japanese sport, culture and innovation at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio deJaneiro. As the Rio 2016 Olympic Games came to a close after 17 inspiring days of top-class competitions,the show built a bridge to the next Summer Olympic Games.

As part of the Closing Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes handed overthe Olympic Flag to the Governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike. It was followed by an eight-minute showintroducing the future host city to the hundreds of millions of people watching the ceremony worldwide.

As part of the handover ceremony, a video featuring around 10,000 peoplefrom Tokyo and the three prefectures affected by the 2011 East Japanearthquake delivered a "THANK YOU" message in multiple languages.Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appeared in the ceremony dressedas the famous video game character Super Mario. Successfully blendinghigh technology and Japanese pop culture, the show portrayed Tokyo as adynamic, innovative and youthful city, ready to host the 2020 Olympics, andended with the message "See You in Tokyo".

Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto, who was in the stadium audience, commented: "I would like tocongratulate the Rio 2016 Organising Committee on their successful Olympic Games, and thank thepeople of Brazil for the warm hospitality that we all experienced here in Rio. I’d also like to congratulateall of the athletes on their superb performances.

"From the Opening to the Closing Ceremony, this magnificent celebration of sport truly inspired us andmade us even more enthusiastic about staging the Games in Tokyo. We will continue to work tirelesslyin order to stage a spectacular, safe and innovative Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020."

The Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee took an active part in the official IOC Observer Programme andengaged in numerous exchanges with members of the Olympic Family. The Committee took a detailedlook at all aspects of Games management, including venue operations, award ceremonies, transportation,medical services and doping control as well as the overall spectator experience.Tokyo 2020 will alsohave a delegation in Rio attending and observing the Paralympic Games, and will leave Rio withinvaluable knowledge that will be fully reflected in the preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Located in the Barra zone of the city, the Tokyo 2020 JAPAN HOUSE wasalso a tremendous success, welcoming athletes, members of the OlympicFamily, members of the media and individual visitors during the Rio 2016Games.As of August 20th, more than 67,200 persons had come toexperience first-hand "omotenashi", the selfless hospitality for which Japanis renowned. The most popular exhibits included a model of the newNational Olympic Stadium, a huge traditional Hina doll exhibit containingaround 1,000 dolls and a Yo-Yo fishing exhibit. Visitors also took photos atthe "Tokyo Manga Photo" spot, a feature utilising unique Japanesetechnology to promote the five newly-added Olympic sports.

While the Tokyo 2020 JAPAN HOUSE brought Tokyo to Rio, the Tokyo 2020 Live Site programmebrought Rio closer to fans in Tokyo and in the three prefectures affected by the 2011 East Japanearthquake. Visitors were able to view exciting live broadcasts, enjoy stage events, and experienceOlympic and Paralympic sports.

Koji Murofushi, Olympic Gold medallist and Tokyo 2020 Sports Director, said: "Crowds of fans gatheredin front of large screens broadcasting live from the Rio 2016 Games to cheer on their national andinternational sport idols. In 2020, I am sure that athletes from every country will enjoy equally passionatesupport. With five new sports on the programme and in keeping with the image of "Cool Japan", theTokyo 2020 Games aims to capture the imagination of the world’s youth."

The Tokyo 2020 JAPAN HOUSE activities and Live Site programme "From Rio to Tokyo" will continueduring the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, which will be held from September 7th to September 18th.

Tokyo 2020 Vision:Sport has the power to change the world and our future. The Tokyo 1964 Games completely transformed Japan. The Tokyo 2020 Games,as the most innovative in history, will bring positive reform to the world by building on three core concepts:

"Striving for your personal best (Achieving Personal Best)"

"Accepting one another (Unity in Diversity)"

"Passing on Legacy for the future (Connecting to Tomorrow)"

For more information, please contact:

Tokyo 2020 Online Press Room

International Communications

Nao MIYAWAKI

nao.miyawaki@tokyo2020.jp