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Rio de Janeiro • Almost exactly 24 hours after soccer star Neymar's gold-medal-winning kick made sure the 2016 Olympics forever would be remembered in Brazil, the party resumed on the Maracanã Stadium field Sunday night.

Or maybe it never ended, as the soccer-loving country celebrated an event that will symbolize the staging of Brazil's Games — from the tension of overtime to the moment of triumph in the Gold Medal game against Germany. Not even steady rain that caused thousands of seats to go unoccupied could subdue the celebration of the Closing Ceremony, scripted as more colorful and cheerful than the Aug. 5 opening event and concluding with a tribute to Rio's carnival.

The soccer victory delivered one of a Brazilian-record seven gold medals earned in these Games, after the country won three golds in London in 2012.

The work of Neymar's right foot and the arms of the Brazil men's volleyball team that won a gold medal Sunday set the stage for a ceremony with a "Made by Human Hands" theme. The program observed Brazil's history of weaving, molding and painting, with the backdrop of the country's musical tradition. Dancers brought cave paintings to life and contemporary art and poetry were featured, before Tokyo accepted the role of the 2020 Summer Games host.

Rio's performance exceeded expectations, after the pre-Olympics buildup emphasized fears of inadequate preparation and various hazards, amid economic issues and political turmoil. "We always said that Rio was ready, and now we can declare it. … We did it. We delivered spectacular Games," Carlos Nuzman, president of Rio 2016, said in an impassioned speech.

Thomas Bach, the International Olympic Committee president, followed by saying, "During these last 16 days, a united Brazil entertained the world with unforgettable and emotional moments of pure happiness, despite the rather difficult surrounding environment. You have many reasons to be happy."

As he did in the opening ceremony, Bach recognized the 10 refugee athletes from various countries who competed in Rio, thanking them for giving hope to others.

Buoyed by American athletes' performances with 121 medals, but speaking in the context of an incident involving four swimmers who lied abut being robbed, U.S. Olympic Committee officials also praised Brazil's work earlier Sunday.

The swimmers "really let down our hosts in Rio who did such a wonderful job, and we feel very badly about that," CEO Scott Blackmun said in a wrapup news conference.

Tokyo's presentation featured an animated video that ended with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appearing in the middle of the stadium, after he met with his country's athletes Sunday in Rio, encouraging them to make a good showing at home in 2020.

After the "See You in Tokyo" message, Rio took one last turn. As the Olympic flame was extinguished, an illuminated tree emerged in the middle of the field, representing rebirth. And then the carnival tribute began, with a float circling the field, fireworks in the air and dancers in elaborate costumes giving the end of the Games a decidedly Brazilian flair.

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