Rio 2016 ended in spectacular fashion last night, its closing ceremony packed with a Macarena, a parade of athletes dramatically extinguishing the Olympic flame, and a glimpse of what treats Tokyo 2020 has in store in four years’ time.

Advertisement

You know, Tokyo? In Japan? Land of the Rising Sun, the world’s best sushi and most technological landmarks of the past 20 years? Yes, that’s right, the guys who gave us Super Mario.

Well, that’s all they’ll be remembered for until the next Olympics anyway, thanks to the outstanding antics of Japanese PM Shinzo Abe at Rio’s closing ceremony.

Ok the #ShinzoAbe Super Mario arrival at the #ClosingCeremony was downright spectacular! :') pic.twitter.com/ErQBeoDEbX

— Cosmos Darwin (@CosmosDarwin) August 22, 2016

Shooting out of a large green pipe dressed as the Italian plumber, Abe donned his hat to cheering crowds, thus sending social media into a spiral of joy.

Looks like I can cross out "Shinzo Abe coming out of a green pipe as Mario" off my "must see list". #ClosingCeremony pic.twitter.com/wdkxygMgTT

— Basith (@aBasithH) August 22, 2016

Advertisement

With his work done, the Japanese PM promptly jumped on a turtle and left the stage. Well, we can dream...

Authors

Thomas LingDigital editor, BBC Science Focus

Thomas is Digital editor at BBC Science Focus. Writing about everything from cosmology to anthropology, he specialises in the latest psychology, health and neuroscience discoveries. Thomas has a Masters degree (distinction) in Magazine Journalism from the University of Sheffield and has written for Men’s Health, Vice and Radio Times. He has been shortlisted as the New Digital Talent of the Year at the national magazine Professional Publishers Association (PPA) awards. Also working in academia, Thomas has lectured on the topic of journalism to undergraduate and postgraduate students at The University of Sheffield.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement