All eyes on Beijing Winter Games as 'most challenging' Olympics close

The Tokyo 2020 Games were declared closed by IOC chief Thomas Bach yesterday, ending the "most challenging Olympic journey" after a year's pandemic delay and threats of cancellation.

Bach called the Tokyo Games "unprecedented" as he addressed the 68,000-seat Olympic Stadium, which was bereft of fans as Japan battles a record Covid outbreak.

"In these difficult times we are all living through, you give the world the most precious of gifts: hope," the International Olympic Committee president told athletes at the ceremony.

"And now I have to mark the end of this most challenging Olympic journey to Tokyo: I declare the Games of the 32nd Olympiad closed."

It marked a low-key end to an extraordinary Olympics that have mostly played out in empty venues with only athletes, team officials and media present.

Athletes have lived in strict biosecure conditions with social distancing at the Olympic Village and instructions to wear masks unless eating, sleeping, training or competing.

Bach has described how the IOC considered canceling the Games and claiming the costs on its insurance policy but said officials plowed ahead "for the athletes" in going ahead with holding the Games.

"Some were already speaking of 'Ghost Games'," he said earlier in the day. "What we have seen here is that, on the contrary, the athletes have brought soul to the Olympic Games."

The United States scored victories on the final day in volleyball, track cycling and basketball to top the tally with 39 gold medals - just one ahead of China.

The Games were plagued by low Japanese support as they went ahead with Tokyo and other regions under a state of emergency and with infections hitting highs.

But Japan's record haul of 27 golds to finish third on the table has won hearts.

Britain was fourth with 22 and the Russian Olympic Committee - the team for Russian athletes after their country was banned for systematic doping - were fifth with 20. Fears of a major outbreak among mostly vaccinated athletes and officials proved unfounded and 430 cases were picked up during the Games, including 32 in the village.

But the virus has lurked as an ever-present threat. Victory celebrations were muted, with lonely laps of honor.

The Olympic flag was passed to 2024 hosts Paris at the ceremony.

But the Olympic circus will reconvene in just six months when Beijing, faced with boycott threats and a renewed coronavirus emergency, holds the Winter Games in February.