Olympics Closing Ceremony 2016: Date, Schedule, Performers and Flag-Bearers
A line will be drawn under what’s been a superb Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, with the closing ceremony set to be held at the Maracana Stadium.
Over a fortnight on from the competition getting under way, we’ve been treated to a selection of dramatic finishes, high-class performances and heartbreaking moments. It’s a chance to reflect back on the 16 days of action and look ahead to what could be in store in Tokyo in four years time.
Here is what to expect from the closing ceremony, which athletes are set to be carrying the flags for their respective nations and who’ll be performing on the night.
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Date: Sunday, August 21
Time: 8 p.m. local, 7 p.m. ET, Midnight BST
Closing Ceremony Preview
The Olympic flag will be handed over to representatives from Tokyo ahead of the Games in four years, with the Japanese national anthem, along with the Greek and Olympic anthems, to be played. There will also be a performance from the Tokyo team, offering a glimpse of what’s to come in 2020.
After London's closing ceremony consisted of a star-studded cast of musicians and performers, Rio has a difficult act to follow. The organisers seem intent on giving those inside this iconic venue the chance to enjoy themselves, though.
Kygo, one of the emerging DJs in the world, is set to show what he can do. "The opportunity to be a part of the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games in Rio is a huge milestone in my career, and it will be the biggest performance of my life," he said, per Music Times. Per the same source, Kygo will be joined by singer Julia Michaels.
Each nation will nominate an athlete to carry its flag into the stadium too. Per NBC Sports, that person will be chosen by their team-mates and then a subsequent vote will determine the eventual flag-bearer.
Expected to carry the Australian banner is Kim Brennan, according to the Daily Telegraph's David Riccio. The 31-year-old produced a classic performance to win in the women's single sculls final and has teased that this could be her final Games.
There's also been speculation about who will carry the Canadian flag into the Maracana on Sunday. The favourite is Penny Oleksiak, who won gold in the women's 100-metre freestyle as well as silver in the 100-metre butterfly and bronze in the two relay events.
While preparations for these Games were blighted by plenty of concerns and have produced some peculiar moments, the standards set in a variety of disciplines have wrestled the spotlight away from the undesirable issues.
It was the final bow for American swimmer Michael Phelps—who walks away from the pool with 23 Olympic golds—and Jamaican sprint sensation Usain Bolt—who became the first man in history to win the 100-metre title three times. Their achievements will surely be recognised as the curtain falls on Rio.
While it'll be sad to say farewell to these household names, there's also been a glimpse into the future. American stars like Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky, still teenagers, have remarkable careers ahead of them. With that in mind, excitement for Tokyo 2020 won't take long to gather pace.
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