An unforgettable closing ceremony

The rain couldn't dampen spirits at the Maracana as athletes, spectators, and the leadership of Rio 2016 and the Olympic movement gathered to enjoy a spectaular evening of song, dance and friendship, celebrating Brazilian culture.

The 'Cidade Maravilhosa' section brought a carnival atmosphere to the Maracana (Photo: Getty Images/Patrick Smith)

Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, said: "During these last 16 days, a united Brazil entertained the world with unforgettable and emotional moments of pure happiness."

Thomas Bach spoke of the inspiration provided by the refugee athletes (Photo: Getty Images/Cameron Spencer)

"These Olympic Games are leaving a unique legacy for generations to come. History will talk about a Rio de Janeiro before and a much better Rio de Janeiro after the Olympic Games," he added.

The ceremony included a section marking the transition to the next Olympiad – that of Tokyo 2020, featuring the appearence of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who emerged from a green pipe in a Super Mario-inspired routine.

The Tokyo 2020 performance celebrated the impact of technology (Photo: Getty Images/Pascal Le Segretain)

Schurter completes his medal collection

After a night of heavy rain, which added a new dimension to an already challenging course, cross country gold went to Nino Schurter of Switzerland, silver to the Czech Republic’s defending champion Jaroslav Kulhavy and bronze to Carlos Coloma Nicolas of Spain.

Schurter harbours ambitions of competing at Tokyo 2020 (Photo: Getty Images/Dean Mouhtaropoulos)

For Schurter, it marked the pinnacle of a three-Games Olympic career, in which he took bronze at Beijing 2008, silver at London 2012, and now gold.

Shields makes it two in a row

USA boxer Claressa Shields beat the Netherlands’ Nouchka Fontijn in the middleweight category, taking all three rounds, and matching flyweight Nicola Adams’ achievement of being a two-time Olympic gold medal winner.

Shields said winning her second gold was even better than the first (Photo: Getty Images/Alex Livesey)

The men’s super-heavyweight bout was a close affair, ending with a victory for France’s Tony Yoka against Great Britain’s Joe Joyce, with the Frenchman scoring two rounds to one. Yoka gave an assured defensive display, rarely allowing Joyce to land cleanly, and was able to deliver some telling blows of his own.

The day’s two other bouts saw Uzbekistan take home two golds, as the central Asian country’s Shakhobidin Zoirov defeated Russian Misha Aloian in the men’s flyweight, while Fazliddin Gaibnazarov took gold over Azerbaijan’s Lorenzo Sotomayor Collazo in the light welterweight. For Gaibnazarov, it was an emotional moment, as he broke down in tears before parading his national flag around the arena.

Gaibnazarov didn't hold back after his victory (Getty Images/Alex Livesey)

Last-minute challenge adds drama

Brazil beat Italy 3-0 (25-22, 28-26, 26-24) to deliver a golden final weekend for Brazil in the country’s two most popular sports, along with the football team. For Italy, fresh from a comeback victory over the USA in a five-set semi-final, it was a match too far.

No way through: the hosts blocked Italy's route to the title (Photo: Getty Images/Tom Pennington)

Despite a challenge on the match-winning point, the Italians rarely looked like troubling Brazil, who will take great satisfaction in claiming the medal they did not win in London, which was a major disappointment at the time.

Kenya’s Kipchoge matches compatriot Sumgong for marathon gold

Eliud Kipchoge delivered a stunning performance to secure a men’s and women’s golden double for Kenya in the Rio 2016 marathon competition, an Olympic first.

Kipchoge crossing the line at the Sambadrome (Photo: Getty Images/Matthias Hangst)

No other runner was able to match the performance of the brilliant Kenyan, who stepped up a gear in the last 15km, running the second half of the course three minutes quicker than the first.

Durant drives USA to resounding basketball victory

The star-studded USA team’s patchy form on its way to the finals had led to some speculation that Serbia, whom the Americans only narrowly overcame in the preliminary round, might cause an upset.

The USA celebrate another Olympic title (Photo:Getty Images/Christian Petersen)

The first quarter was indeed a fairly close affair, but from the second period onwards, the USA powered ahead to win 96-66, winning their 15th Olympic gold medal. Kevin Durant in particular stepped up in the second quarter when he scored 18 of his game-high 31 points.

Kevin Durant was top scoring player of the final (Photo: Getty Images/Mike Ehrmann)

Denmark deny French triple in thrilling final

Denmark’s handball team beat reigning champions France 28-26 in a thrilling encounter to secure their country’s first gold medal in the sport. The French team had been hoping for a third Olympic title in a row, but it wasn’t to be as the Danish players imposed themselves on the match.

Denmark's players celebrate victory (Photo: Getty Images/Sean M. Haffey)

The Danes' superiority was underpinned by some fantastic defensive play, as well as the heroics of goalkeeper Niklas Landin Jacobsen in the latter parts of the match.

Russians rally to take rhythmic gymnastics gold

The Russians found themselves in the unfamiliar position of third place going into the final day of the competition, behind Spain and Bulgaria. Rather than panic, however, the team were galvanised and delivered a brilliant finish during the second rotation – an intricate set of dancing and gymnastics – to claim a fifth straight Olympic gold, as Spain took silver and Bulgaria claimed the bronze.

Russia's rhythmic gymnasts' hoops turned into golden discs (Photo: Getty Images/Clive Brunskill)

Azerbaijanis settle for silver against Ramonov and Snyder

The men's wrestling came to an emphatic end, as world no.2 and 2014 world champion Soslan Ramonov of Russia demolished London 2012 champion Toghrul Asgarov of Azerbaijan 11-0 in the freestyle 65kg final and his compatriot, three-time Olympian Khetag Goziumov, was defeated by 20-year-old world champion Kyle Snyder of the USA in the 97kg category.

Ramonov got the better of Azerbaijan's Asgarov (Photo: Getty Images/Laurence Griffiths)