The Rio 2016 Summer Olympics has finally come to a close...
ending its 16-day run of exciting matches, memorable moments... and more.
Joining me live in the studio is our Olympics correspondent Kwon Jang-ho -- Jangho, good
to see you back in the studio with me after 16 full days of games coverage.
Happy to have made it back here.
So much to talk about as we wrap up this year's games, but first let's touch upon the ever
so colorful closing ceremony.
the games of the 31st Olympiad ended with a spectacular carnival-inspired closing ceremony.
In short, wet, windy, and wild
That's right, it was pretty wild.
At first there was a slight issue with the weather, as heavy rain threatened to dampen
the mood, but to be honest Rio was never going to let a little bit of rain ruin the party.
But actually the limelight was stolen by the next host city, Tokyo 2020.
During their section of the ceremony, in what was kind of a bizarre and unexpected move,
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appeared out of a green pipe, dressed up as Super Mario.
Wow that really was unexpected, something we really don't see of the normally very sombre
and serious Abe.
I know, but I think it's quite a smart move.
It really sets the tone for Tokyo 2020, saying it's going to be a fun Olympics, and a forward
thinking one, as well, that's not afraid to incorporate video games into its theme.
Right, it's really raising the standard for the next Games.
But before we look too far ahead we should wrap-up what's been a compelling Olympics.
Let's start with Team Korea.
How would you rate their performance in Rio?
It's been a bit of a mixed bag really.
Before the Olympics started, Team Korea had a set a ten-ten target -- that's 10 gold medals
and a top 10 finish.
They've achieved half of that goal, finishing eighth in the medals table, but they were
just one shy of their medals target, with 9 golds.
Of course there was a BIG helping hand from the archery team, who won an unprecendented
four out of four gold medals in their events, but there were plenty of other memorable moments
from Team Korea that got the Korean public excited.
"In the fencing, when Park Sang-young looked like he was about to lose, we saw him say
to himself, "You can do it," and he eventually won gold.
I think it really gave the public hope and courage."
"Before the Olympics started the mood was so-so and I didn't have high expectations.
But once it got going and we started winning, it was really exciting and fun."
Sure, but it wasn't all plain sailing, right?
I mean there were plenty of disappointments too.
You're right, of course.
For example, there were no golds in judo, the first time that's happened since Sydney
2000.
Expectations in the badminton, football and volleyball also went unrealised.
It's a shame, and it's something Korea's sporting bodies will have to work on.
Right, hopefully we'll see more athletes in those events excel in four years time.
Now let's bring our focus to some of the other highlights from Rio.
There have been plenty of records broken, incredible feats....where do we start?
I mean the two we have to mention is Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps.
They're two of the best Olympians the world has ever seen.
First let's start with Bolt.
He now has nine golds, or what's being referred to as the triple-triple.
He's the fastest man the world has ever seen, and most importantly for the Olympics right
now, he's done it clean.
He's just a natural, unrivalled talent.
That's also the same with Michael Phelps.
He's the most decorated Olympian of all time, with 23 gold medals, 28 medals overall, a
record that is probably going to go untouched for decades to come.
They've both said they won't be taking part in the next Olympics, so there's going to
be two very big holes to fill in four years time.
But every Olympics has it's memorable moments and Rio was no exception.
The 2016 Olympics saw the formation of the first ever refugee team, competing under the
Olympic flag.
Brazil had some new heroes, such as judo star Rafaela Silva, who grew up in dangerous and
run-down favelas, just down a stones-throw away from where she won her gold medal.
Perhaps my favorite moment of the games was when long distance runners Nikki Hamblin and
Abbey D'Agostino fell over each other in the 5000-meters, but instead of simply running
off, they helped each other get up and finish the race together.
They've since been awarded the Pierre de Coubertin award for sportmanship by the IOC.
True Olympic spirit right there.
Definitely one of my favorite moments too.
Now, the Summer Olympics torch has been handed over to Tokyo... but before that, we have
the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang in less than two years time.
The organizing committee were busy in Rio promoting the event, but efforts are also
being made in Korea...to take the good will and excitement brought on by these Olympics
and carry it all the way to PyeongChang as well.
Here's our Lee Minyoung on the road with supporters of Korea 2018.