Rio 2016 Olympics closing ceremony as it happened

And with that, the 2016 Games are over. It's been 16 days of great fun and has provided us all with some incredible memories.

Team GB's performance has been brilliant, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. And we'll do it all again in four years' time.

Thanks for joining our live coverage of the closing ceremony and indeed, our coverage throughout the Games. Goodbye, Rio.

"Bye bye, Rio," says Thomas Bach. The symbolic flame is set to be extinguished now as the metaphorical sun sets on Rio 2016.

IOC president Thomas Bach says: "Congratulations Brazil. Brazil, we love you. Thank you for your warm hospitality. For the last 16 days a united Brazil inspired the world."

He adds: "You have many reasons to be proud. These Olympic Games show diversity is an enrichment for everyone. These Olympic Games were a celebration of diversity."

Rio is the focus of the world and even space this evening, it seems. This is pretty cool.

Carlos Nuzman says: "Twenty-seven world records and 91 Olympic records. We have organised a marvellous Olympics in a marvellous city.

"When we won the Games I said Rio was ready to make history. Rio has delivered history. Good luck for Tokyo 2020."

President of the organising committee Carlos Nuzman and IOC president Thomas Bach are ready to make their speeches.

Didn't believe me, huh?

Among the many things I didn't expect to see at these Games, the sight of the Prime Minister of Japan portraying Super Mario would have been right up there. But that's what happened. Fair play.

Here's the customary promotional video. The local tourist boards must be licking their lips at the thought of hosting these Games, eh.

The Olympic flag is passed on to the governor of Japan and now we will hear the national anthem of the next host nation.

In some senses, the 2020 Games start here and now.

If you enjoy the pomp and circumstance of these things, then this is the moment for you. The Olympic flag comes down, as Thomas Bach and the mayor of Rio come into view.

We're set for the symbolic passing of the torch. Rio 2016 is nearly over.

Now there's a tune dedicated to the legion of volunteers who underpinned these Games. I don't know what's being sung but I'll assume it's all rather lovely.

Then, the national of anthem of Greece as the Olympic flag is lowered.

A little housekeeping from the IOC now, who introduce the newly-appointed members of their commission. It's slightly awkward because it features Yelena Isinbayeva, the Russian who was banned from competing in Rio.

This has all been brilliantly wacky so far.

All three medalists walk off with their gongs to join the party themselves.

In case you missed the news earlier, Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge took gold, with Feyisa Lilesa winning the silver and American Galen Rupp collecting bronze.

A bit odd, this. The closing ceremony comes to a halt for the final medal ceremony of Rio 2016 for the men's marathon. In fairness, I suppose they deserve the acclaim after doing 20-odd miles.

Seb Coe is in attendance to do the honours alongside Thomes Bach.

This is all very eye-catching but also a little surreal, too. It's like something from the maddest cartoon you could ever watch.

This section of the ceremony pays tribute to the exportation of modelling clay. I'll leave you to ponder that.

Meanwhile, back to those snazzy-looking shoes.

It's all music, dance and colour inside the iconic Maracana Stadium for the moment. What a difference 24 hours can make, eh.

As the athletes are all sat down, the stadium has taken to celebrating the contribution of Brazil's black population to the country's culture.

Everyone appears to be enjoying themselves, in spite of the British-like weather.

And there's plenty more where that came from.

You want to be reminded of more great Rio moments, you say? Here you go, then...

Kygo makes way, but the party goes on...

DJ Kygo takes to the stage wearing a backwards baseball cap. Some athletes join him on the stage and everyone is having a boogie.

Given that so many of these athletes obsess about time during their working lives, they clearly have a more relaxed approach away from the track, pool etc.

Wait, time for a change of pace - because they've finally taken their seats. Cue more Mission: Impossible-inspired music.

Some more memorable moments from the Games, meanwhile...

On reflection, this all feels a little bit like a wedding but in reverse. There's lots of partying and dancing and photos... and then it's time for the speeches and the other serious bits.

The Japanese are the last to arrive, symbolic as they are the next hosts of the Games. Everyone is here now, I think.

Well, as I say that, it seems someone may have bailed early. There's always one, eh.

Despite the rain - or maybe because of it - there's a Glastonbury-like atmosphere inside the stadium. There's a sense that the athletes can finally let their hair down following months of hard work and self-discipline.

Mr Bolt was determined not to be overshadowed, though. What a legend - and he signed off his record-breaking Olympic career in style.

As we (patiently) wait for the athletes to take their seats, here is one of the most memorable moments of the Games for Team GB...

I think I want a pair of those shoes. Although I'm not sure I'd have the courage to wear them in public.

Still, the athletes are pouring into the stadium.

A lot of the athletes are wearing some rather spiffing-looking ponchos now. But the bad weather will not wipe the smiles off their faces.

Everyone is determined to party, come what may.

The music has certainly taken a turn now. It's time for some DJing and something that sounds vaguely like the theme tune to Mission: Impossible.

We've seen some incredible things during these Games. Bolt and Phelps making history spring to mind immediately - but I'm not sure I've seen anything more eye-catching than the shoes being worn by Team GB now.

They are as brilliant as they are ridiculous.

The Maracana is definitely the place to be this evening.

The Brits haven't been able to match the dancing skills of some of their more outgoing counterparts, but they have brought their own props.

And now? Well...

The competitors are dancing their way into the venue. France, for their part, appear to be holding everyone up while they bounce on the spot in the centre of the Maracana.

24 hours ago on this very same turf...

A few drops of raining are starting to fall, but it's done nothing to dampen the spirits. The athletes are still making their way to the seats.

If you're selling selfie sticks in Rio tonight, then I envy you. The athletes are unsurprisingly lapping up this event.

The athletes are taking their seats around the periphery of the football field. All the teams are taking video footage of the event and having a few snaps en route, too.

Brazilian music is providing the backdrop to all of this.

It's a bit of a star-studded cast of flag bearers, including US gymnast Simone Biles. What a superstar she was and is.

Speaking of which...

This is apparently a who's who of Brazilian pop culture. But to be honest, unless it's Neymar or Gabriel Jesus, it's all a bit of a mystery to me.

And now it's time for the stars of the evening: the athletes and their mobile phones. It'll be a selfie fest, no doubt.

More songs and more music. I don't speak Portuguese, but I'm sure this is all rather lovely, whatever they're singing about.

IOC president Thomas Bach is among those in attendance, as you would expect. I assume we'll be hearing from him a bit later this evening.

The first part of the show ends with the performers getting together to form the Olympic rings. All very symbolic, that.

And now here come the big wigs...

One of the world's most iconic sporting venues is a sea of colour, with performers uniting to create the outline of an athlete. Brazilian music is being performed to the crowd, too.

Right, the stage is set inside the legendary Maracana Stadium and around 80,000 people are primed for a party.

Some 24 hours ago, Neymar and his friends were scrapping for a gold medal. Now, the stadium looks more like something belonging to the West End in London.

The stadium is on a countdown. ... Three! Two! One!

It's been a damp and dreary day in Rio, but we're sure to see a spectacular show with which to end these Games.

Has it been as good as London 2012? Perhaps not, but there have been a huge number of iconic moments and spectacular achievements to take away from Rio.

And in four years' time, we'll do it all again in Tokyo...

As a reminder, before the closing ceremony gets under way at the top of the hour... Great Britain have finished second above China in the medal table at Rio 2016.

Team GB have produced a historically strong performance at their best ever away Games, making history as the first host nation ever to go on and beat their tally at the next Olympics.

Kate Richardson-Walsh has been selected as Team GB's closing ceremony flagbearer for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

The four-time Olympian, who led Great Britain women's hockey team to glory, was nominated to lead the team out at the Maracana Stadium after a decision by a British Olympic Association panel headed by Chef de Mission Mark England.

The 36-year-old, who made her Olympic debut at Sydney 2000, helped Team GB to a bronze medal in London four years ago and inspired the team to gold against a much-fancied Dutch side in Rio.

Richardson-Walsh admitted the nomination has made her feel "incredibly proud".

Good evening and welcome to IBTimes UK's live coverage of the closing ceremony of the Rio Olympic Games. We've all enjoyed two weeks of spectacular action, but now it's time to bring the curtain down on this memorable occasion.

Over the next couple of hours we'll reflect on the Rio Games, bring you the sights and sounds of the closing ceremony and look forward to Tokyo 2020.