The Rio 2016 Olympics have been a triumph of sporting excellence with heroes like Annalise Murphy, Usain Bolt and Mo Farah winning medals for incredible feats of physical endurance and endeavour.
But one man trumped them all on the very last day of the games – and he’s not even an athlete.
The closing ceremony was held in the athletics stadium last night as the curtain fell on the games after a terrific two weeks of running, jumping, throwing, fighting, rowing, sailing, tennis-ing and all manner of sporting accomplishments.
And now the baton is passed on to Tokyo who host the next Olympics in 2020.
Traditionally the hosts of the upcoming games take part in the closing ceremony as part of a handover of the Olympic spirit. You may remember a slightly confused-looking David Beckham booting a football over a London bus at the end of the Beijing games in 2008.
(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Well Japan have gone one better than that with their effort at the closing of the Rio Olympics.
In a prepared video, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe realises he will be late for the festivities, so switches to his alter ego Super Mario in order to make it on time, using one of Mario’s famous green tubes to get to Rio.
Japanese PM Shinzo Abe cosplays as Mario at Rio Closing Ceremony w/ Captain Tsubasa, Hello Kitty and Doraemon pic.twitter.com/1CMjSYnV5I
— Yuri (@yurixlax) August 22, 2016
It was a great effort from the politician and it went down very well with the viewers.
Shinzo Abe dressed as Super Mario has completely made my week
— George Costi (@FrickleChip) August 22, 2016
https://twitter.com/murakamikaze/status/767625844676239361
PM Shinzo Abe as Super Mario is so cuuuuuute.
— sage (@SooooBane) August 22, 2016
I actually SQUEALED when I saw Shinzo Abe emerge as Mario.
— Corrie Chen 🌈 (@corriechen) August 22, 2016
https://twitter.com/sudestasien/status/767622227944730624
If this doesn't make you want to pre book tickets for Tokyo 2020 then I don't know what will… Shinzo Abe as Mario pic.twitter.com/HClJuiqF7o
— susiebubble (@susiebubble) August 22, 2016
But we leave you with this sobering thought…
Shinzo Abe dressing as Mario may seem unusual, but in a few months' time, America's leader could actually be Mickey Mouse.
— Jon Cudby (@JonCudby) August 22, 2016
