Tearful QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune Lionel QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune Messi bids goodbye to Barcelona PAGE 15 MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 2021 Tokyo Olympics of ‘hope’ come to a close with Paris 2024 up next DPA TOKYO THE Tokyo Olympics closed on Sunday behind closed doors with International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach calling them “Games of hope, solidarity and peace” amid the coronavirus pandemic. According to tradition, Bach closed the July 23-Au- gust 8 Summer Games in the presence of Japanese crown prince Akishino and speaking French invited the youth of the world to the Games of the 33rd Olympiad in Paris 2024. Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo received the Olympic flag in the Tokyo stadium, a giant flag was shown at theE iffel Tower while French astronaut Thomas Pesquet played the fi- nal chords of the national an- Fireworks light up the sky over the Olympic Stadium during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 French aerial patrol ‘Patrouille de France’ fly over the fan village of The Trocadero set in front of The Eiffel Tower, them on a saxophone from the Olympic Games, in Tokyo, on Sunday. (AFP) in Paris on Sunday upon the transmission of the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. (AFP) International Space Station. The French capital already staged the Games twice, in 1900 and 1924. Breakdancers showed off their skills ahead of the sport joining the Olympic pro- gramme in three years and French president Emmanuel Macron presented the modi- fiedO lympic motto “faster, higher, stronger, together.” The French will hope that that the pandemic has disap- peared by then, after the To- kyo Games were postponed last year and after long doubts and big reservations within Japan took place amid a strict hygiene concept. “In these difficult times A combination of pictures created on Sunday shows the Olympic you give the world the most flame burning (L) in the cauldron at the Olympic Stadium during the precious of gifts: hope,” Bach opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 23, said in his closing speech sur- 2021 and another of the Olympic cauldron as it closes (R) after the rounded by athletes from all Olympic flame was extinguished during the closing ceremony at the continents. Olympic Stadium in Tokyo on Sunday. (AFP) “For the first time since the pandemic began, the entire of volunteers for an “unprec- Athletes from more than world came together. Sport re- edented Olympic Games” and 60 of the 206 nations and A general view shows the Olympic stadium and the word “Arigato”, Japanese for “Thank You”, displayed at the end of the closing ceremony of turned to centre stage. Billions added: “You, the Japanese teams competing at the Games the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, on Sunday at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo. (AFP) of people around the globe were people, can be extremely proud were no longer present for the united by emotion, sharing mo- of what you have achieved.” ceremony, according to the Dutch three-time running laxing environment in which the marathons held in Sap- plause from the athletes. ments of joy and inspiration. Organizing committee presi- IOC - mainly because corona- medallist Sifan Hassan, Brit- the athletes can unwind” after poro were part of it all, a ska The ceremony concluded “This gives us hope. This dent Seiko Hashimoto thanked virus rules made athletes leave ish cyclist Laura Kenny and “we had to overcome countless band and a DJ recreated an af- after the extinguishing of the gives us faith in the future,” everyone involved in making within 48 hours after their Italian shock 100 metre cham- obstacles and resolve many ternoon in a Tokyo park before Olympic flame with fireworks Bach said, speaking of “Games the Games possible and “our competition. pion Lamont Marcell Jacobs. conflicts to hold and open dances from different regions and the word Arigato (Thank of hope, solidarity and peace.” journey isn’t finished yet” be- Those left arrived in the Organizers said the con- these Games amid the COV- of the country and the original You) displayed on the screen Bach thanked the Japanese cause the Paralympics follow stadium socially distanced cept of the ceremony in a park- ID-19 pandemic.” dance from the 1964 Games in using the same font as in the organizers and the thousands from August 24. with flagbearers including like setting was to create “a re- The victory ceremony for Tokyo which received big ap- 1964 closing ceremony. Hashimoto satisfied with Tokyo Games without major hitches DPA TOKYO TOKYO Olympics organizing committee president Seiko Hashimoto is satisfied with the staging of the Games that end Sunday and believes they can be a blueprint for further events under coornavirus con- ditions. “Safety was our num- ber one priority and overall I believe that we were able to reach the closing day without any major challenges,” she told a news conference. “There are many large sporting events around the world that will be organized in the coming years, and they can learn from us with regard to Covid countermeasures.” The Games postponed from last year took place with a strict safety protocol amid Athletes celebrate next to Olympic Cauldron and the Olympic flame during the closing ceremony of the President of The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Seiko Hashimoto (R) surging infection rates in To- Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium, in Tokyo, on Sunday. (AFP) delivers a speech next to President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach during the kyo which was under a state of closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium, in Tokyo, on Sunday. (AFP) emergency. cult situations and how we de- people appreciated our efforts. ing themselves in the bubbles, “The Tokyo 2020 Games livered the Games was under “Whatever the situation according to the playbook. more mixed events and, and Games,” she said. her most impressive moments have been designed to be a the attention of the world. is, we can overcome, that is Unfortunately there were that new sports like surfing “Teenage athletes were included “many smiles on safe and secure event for all “It is very, very difficult something we wanted to show some violations of the play- and skateboarding helped at- shown jumping into the blue the faces of the people at the participants as well as Tokyo for me to use any words to to the world.” Director general book, that is a fact, but we tract a young audience. urban sky on skateboards and venues: those working hard, and the nation as a whole,” describe how we had to over- Toshiro Muto said: “Overall took very strict actions against “The engagement of young BMX. A new Japan and a new those who are supporting the Hashimoto said. come this situation and dif- we think the bubbles were those violations.” Hashimoto people has been strongly rec- Tokyo was impressively dis- athletes, and it’s their smiles “Under the global pan- ficulties. Not everything was maintained. also highlighted that gender- ognised and added better played through these inspira- - many, many smiles - that im- demic we all faced such diffi- perfect, but overall I believe “Most athletes were keep- equality got a boost through value to the Tokyo Olympic tional images.” She added that pressed me the most.” Monday, August 9, 2021 13 Qatar Women’s Sports Committee applauds ‘Team Qatar’ athletes on their Tokyo 2020 Olympics achievements TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA THE Qatar Women’s Sports Committee has congratulated Team Qatar athletes on their return home after winning three historic medals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. “Women’s Sports” con- gratulates the champions of Team Qatar”, said a press re- lease on Sunday. The release further stated: The Qatar Women’s Sports Committee and all its mem- bers and employees extend their congratulations and blessings to His Highness The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Ham- ad Al Thani, His Highness The Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and to His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Commit- Qatar’s medal-winning athletes Mutaz Barshim, Fares Ibrahim, Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan on Team tee, and to the Qatari people, Qatar’s arrival home at the Hamad International Airport on Saturday. Qatar flagbearers Tala Abujbara (the nation’s first woman athlete in rowing) and Mohamed Al Rumaihi and all the champions of Team (shooting athlete) at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics opening ceremony in Tokyo on July 23, 2021. Qatar for achieving the historic Team Qatar at Tokyo Olym- volleyball team. “Qatar is the tus for achieving more med- achievement of Qatari sport at pics and the achievement of first in beach volleyball with als in upcoming tournaments in Olympics with the presence representation in the future, athletes with Tala Abujbara the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. three medals including two the bronze medal, and it is the and that the Paris Olympics in of rower Tala Abujbara and especially since women occu- being chosen as Qatar’s flag- Lolwa Hussein Al Mar- gold medals for weightlifter first amongA rab nations in 2024 will be a milestone for sprinter Bashayer Al Manwari py a prominent role in Qatar. bearer at the opening ceremo- ri, President of the Qatar Faris Ibrahim and Mutaz a team sport,” she said, add- Qatari sports.” who presented a good image The Tokyo 2020 Olympic ny alongside shooter Moham- Women’s Sports Committee, Barshim in high jump in ad- ing: “Achieving this historic Lolwa Al Marri also praised of Qatari women amid great Games witnessed more sup- med Al Rumaihi at the Tokyo praised the participation of dition to the national beach achievement will be an impe- Qatari women’s participation hopes for increasing women’s port and success for women 2020 Games.