THE Olympics finally came to an end with a huge rain-soaked party at the Maracana stadium - but the downpour couldn't stop Team GB from enjoying a record Games as field hockey captain Kate Richardson-Walsh carried the Union Flag.
The famous stadium was half-empty but it was still an amazing farewell as Rio put on a huge lights and laser display with iconic images of the city's most famous tourist attractions such as Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain.
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Brazilian model Izabel Goulart parades during the closing ceremonyCredit: Getty Images
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Izabel Goulart and Renato Sorriso dance as the Olympics comes to a closeCredit: Getty Images
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Fireworks lit up the Rio sky as the closing ceremony kicked off at the MaracanaCredit: Reuters
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Spectacular fireworks mark the end of the Olympic Games in RioCredit: Reuters
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Dancers in carnival costumes delight the crowds who defied the Rio rainCredit: Getty Images
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Fireworks explode above the Maracana Stadium at the end of the closing ceremonyCredit: Getty Images
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Giant parrots were part of the colourful finale to the GamesCredit: EFE
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Singer Lenine on stage during the stunning closing ceremonyCredit: Getty Images
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The Brazil flag was emblazoned on the floor as the hosts raised the Brazilian flag for the last timeCredit: Reuters
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The stunning Olympic flame was in pride of place as the closing ceremony kicked offCredit: Reuters
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A bedraggled fan watches the closing ceremony in the rain in RioCredit: Getty Images
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Rain falls on Brazilian singer Mariene De Castro at the closing ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the MaracanaCredit: Getty Images
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Brit athletes try on Samba gear during the closing ceremony at the MaracanaCredit: Getty Images
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Fans outside the Maracana Stadium watch the fireworks as the downpour hits closing ceremonyCredit: Getty Images
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The closing ceremony started with a number of artistic dance setsCredit: AAP
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Brazilian children sing the national anthem dressed in fluorescent suits as the closing ceremony party gets underwayCredit: Reuters
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Kate Richardson-Walsh waves the Union Flag during the Olympic closing ceremonyCredit: Getty Images
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British athletes took off their trainers and started waving them around in the darkCredit: Getty Images
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Rowing gold medal heroine Helen Glover shows off Team GB's incredible glowing trainersCredit: Instagram
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Team GB athletes wore special flashing shoes as they entered the Maracana Stadium for the closing ceremonyCredit: Instagram
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The British athletes wore track suit jackets and shorts with flashing trainers at the closing ceremonyCredit: Instagram
But the Brits proved that they had lit up the Games with trainers that FLASHED for the entirety of the party.
Team GB has walked away from these Olympics with a stunning 27 gold medals and SECOND place in the medals table ahead of the likes of China, Australia, France, Germany and Russia.
Britain finished the Atlanta Games in 1996 with just ONE gold medal as Sir Steve Redgrave and Matthew Pinsent won in the pairs rowing.
But two decades of Lottery funding and a sensational London Games later, Britain has optimised performance and revolutionised elite sport - becoming the first ever country to better their medals haul four years after hosting.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe removes removes his Super Mario costumeCredit: AP:Associated Press
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Shinzo Abe emerged from a giant pipe disguised as Super MarioCredit: AP:Associated Press
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Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe dresses up as Super Mario as Tokyo prepares to host the 2016 Games
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Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe doffs his cap to the crowdCredit: Reuters
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The carnival atmosphere culminated in volunteers forming Olympic ringsCredit: Reuters
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Empty seats at the half-filled Maracana for the closing ceremonyCredit: AAP
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Britain's athletes wore white track suit tops with flashing trainersCredit: Getty Images
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Athletes walk out in front of Rio's spectacular Olympic flame but many seats were left unsoldCredit: EPA
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The Brits strut out at the Olympic closing ceremonyCredit: Getty Images
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Athletes in ponchos in the rain in RioCredit: Getty Images
After about half an hour of the closing ceremony the heavens began to open and many of the athletes whipped out their ponchos.
Unlike four years ago, even the Brits were unprepared with no umbrellas to cover their heads.
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Fireworks go off in the MaracanaCredit: Getty Images
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Fireworks shoot into the air in the colours of the Brazilian flag as the Olympics come to an end in RioCredit: Reuters
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Helen Glover of Team US enjoys the party atmosphereCredit: Getty Images
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A Brazilian drummer performs a set in the closing ceremonyCredit: Reuters
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Another scene depicted the Europeans arriving to South AmericaCredit: AP:Associated Press
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As is tradition the male Marathon medallists were presented the last awards of the OlympicsCredit: Getty Images
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The British athletes tried to wrap up in their ponchos as they had a laugh at the closing ceremony with mid-distance runners Eilish McColgan and Lynsey Sharp trying to keep dryCredit: AP:Associated Press
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Some athletes looked soaked and fed up as they waited for the closing ceremony to finish in the Maracana StadiumCredit: AP:Associated Press
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Stars of Team GB celebrate record-breaking Games despite the poor weatherCredit: Getty Images
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Tom Daley joins the Team GB parade at the closing ceremonyCredit: Reuters
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British athletes celebrate during the closing ceremonyCredit: AP:Associated Press
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Members of Team Great Britain take part in the 'Heroes of the Games' segmentCredit: Getty Images
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The Tokyo 2020 Olympic team got to show off their piece for the Games in four years' timeCredit: Reuters
