The Tokyo Olympics is drawing to an end with the closing ceremony underway in Tokyo as the country celebrates while also counting of the cost of pushing ahead with the Covid-delayed Games. The event has also deeply divided Japanese into pro and anti-Games camps, with that division expected to be visible at the closing ceremony - as athletes celebrate as guests of honour while the stands sit empty due to Covid restrictions on crowds. A sign of those divisions was evident near the stadium as protesters gathered ahead of the ceremony, with police holing them back. Topless Pacific islands athletes arrive in the stadium ahead of the closing ceremony taking placeBelarus athletes, minus sprinter Krystsina Tsikhanouskaya who fled the Games to Poland after feeling her safety was in danger gather in the Olympic stadiumGreat Britain's Laura Kenny with the Union Jack flag during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Gameslag bearers participate in the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, JapanAthletes delegations pose with their national flag as they enter during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 OlympicsRepresentatives carry participating nations' flags during the closing ceremony of the Olympics in TokyoThe United States' athletes show their medals to a video camera during the closing ceremony in the Olympic StadiumAthletes from the United States take a selfie during the closing ceremony as country celebrates topping the medal tableMembers of the Polish delegation take pictures as they attend the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium, in TokyoMembers of Team Mexico during the Closing Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic StadiumRussian Olympic Committee delegation walk in during the closing ceremony in the Olympic StadiumMembers of Team Bulgaria during the Closing Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic GamesThe Olympic flag is carried during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic GamesFlags are raised in Tokyo's main Olympic ceremony during the closing ceremonyPeople take photographs of fireworks during the Closing Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic GamesWould-be spectators still came out in force, defying authorities to peek in from overpasses as they tried to catch a glimpse of outdoor events such as the triathlon or new sports such as skateboarding. Thirteen golds were up for grabs on Sunday before the closing ceremony, including in the men's marathon, won by Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge and women's basketball, which went to the United States.

Source: The Nation August 08, 2021 12:00 UTC