Rio Olympics 2016: Rain-soaked carnival closing ceremony marks an end to Olympics in Rio as Brits turn heads with flashing trainers
THE Olympics finally came to an end with a huge rain-soaked party at the Maracana stadium – but the downpour couldn’t stop Team GB from enjoying a record Games as field hockey captain Kate Richardson-Walsh carried the Union Flag.
The famous stadium was half-empty but it was still an amazing farewell as Rio put on a huge lights and laser display with iconic images of the city’s most famous tourist attractions such as Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain.
Brazilian model Izabel Goulart parades during the closing ceremonyIzabel Goulart and Renato Sorriso dance as the Olympics comes to a closeFireworks lit up the Rio sky as the closing ceremony kicked off at the MaracanaSpectacular fireworks mark the end of the Olympic Games in RioDancers in carnival costumes delight the crowds who defied the Rio rainFireworks explode above the Maracana Stadium at the end of the closing ceremonyGiant parrots were part of the colourful finale to the GamesSinger Lenine on stage during the stunning closing ceremonyThe Brazil flag was emblazoned on the floor as the hosts raised the Brazilian flag for the last timeThe stunning Olympic flame was in pride of place as the closing ceremony kicked offA bedraggled fan watches the closing ceremony in the rain in RioRain falls on Brazilian singer Mariene De Castro at the closing ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the MaracanaBrit athletes try on Samba gear during the closing ceremony at the MaracanaFans outside the Maracana Stadium watch the fireworks as the downpour hits closing ceremonyThe closing ceremony started with a number of artistic dance setsBrazilian children sing the national anthem dressed in fluorescent suits as the closing ceremony party gets underwayKate Richardson-Walsh waves the Union Flag during the Olympic closing ceremonyBritish athletes took off their trainers and started waving them around in the darkRowing gold medal heroine Helen Glover shows off Team GB's incredible glowing trainersTeam GB athletes wore special flashing shoes as they entered the Maracana Stadium for the closing ceremonyThe British athletes wore track suit jackets and shorts with flashing trainers at the closing ceremony
But the Brits proved that they had lit up the Games with trainers that FLASHED for the entirety of the party.
Team GB has walked away from these Olympics with a stunning 27 gold medals and SECOND place in the medals table ahead of the likes of China, Australia, France, Germany and Russia.
Britain finished the Atlanta Games in 1996 with just ONE gold medal as Sir Steve Redgrave and Matthew Pinsent won in the pairs rowing.
But two decades of Lottery funding and a sensational London Games later, Britain has optimised performance and revolutionised elite sport - becoming the first ever country to better their medals haul four years after hosting.
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Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe doffs his cap to the crowdThe carnival atmosphere culminated in volunteers forming Olympic ringsEmpty seats at the half-filled Maracana for the closing ceremonyBritain's athletes wore white track suit tops with flashing trainersAthletes walk out in front of Rio's spectacular Olympic flame but many seats were left unsoldThe Brits strut out at the Olympic closing ceremony
After about half an hour of the closing ceremony the heavens began to open and many of the athletes whipped out their ponchos.
Unlike four years ago, even the Brits were unprepared with no umbrellas to cover their heads.
Fireworks go off in the MaracanaFireworks shoot into the air in the colours of the Brazilian flag as the Olympics come to an end in RioHelen Glover of Team US enjoys the party atmosphereA Brazilian drummer performs a set in the closing ceremonyAnother scene depicted the Europeans arriving to South AmericaAs is tradition the male Marathon medallists were presented the last awards of the OlympicsThe British athletes tried to wrap up in their ponchos as they had a laugh at the closing ceremony with mid-distance runners Eilish McColgan and Lynsey Sharp trying to keep drySome athletes looked soaked and fed up as they waited for the closing ceremony to finish in the Maracana StadiumStars of Team GB celebrate record-breaking Games despite the poor weatherTom Daley joins the Team GB parade at the closing ceremonyBritish athletes celebrate during the closing ceremonyMembers of Team Great Britain take part in the 'Heroes of the Games' segmentThe Tokyo 2020 Olympic team got to show off their piece for the Games in four years' time
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