Tokyo 2020

USA wins gold in men's 4x400m relay for a record 18th time

The USA closed out the track athletic events at Tokyo 2020 with a spectacular 18th win in the men’s 4x400m relay at an Olympic Games.

The team raced home 100m ahead of nearest rivals the Netherlands to record a season’s best time of 2:55.70. It was a dream end for the American team at Tokyo 2020.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Deon Lendore had set a blistering pace from the start of the race and led for much of the first leg with the USA’s Michael Cherry and Botswana’s Isaac Makwala close behind.

Baru finishes 10th in Tokyo

Competing in Group B amongst four other weightlifters, Baru began the snatch round, lifting 113kgs in his first attempt. He attempted 118kgs in his second attempt unsuccessfully and later redeemed himself in his third attempt to record 118kgs for his snatch.

He began positively in the clean & jerk round, lifting 147kgs however; he was unable to continue in his second and third attempts, as he was unsuccessful in lifting 153kgs to settle with 147kgs. That confirmed a total of 265kgs.

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Japanese Olympic Committee investigation team “clears" Tokyo 2020 over controversial payment

The three-strong investigation team, made up of two lawyers and a certified public accountant, was established by the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) to probe a transaction from the Bid Committee totalling $2 million (£1.3 million/€1.7 million).

It is thought the payment was made in two installments in 2013 to Black Tidings, before Tokyo won the right to host the 2020 Olympics at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Buenos Aires.

Tongan Olympian Taufatofua sets his sight on Tokyo 2020

Kaniva news reports instead of the black costume he wore in the opening ceremony, Taukatofua wore an outfit featuring the word ‘Tonga’ in red.

The taekwondo competitor joined Julia Michaels and Kygo’s performance of their hit “Carry Me,” dancing as rain fell on the Maracana stadium.

Taufatofua also joined fellow athletes with Japanese wrestler Kaori Icho, swimmer Yusra Mardini, representing the Refugee Olympic Team and Syria, Brazilian gymnast Arthur Mariano and runner Shaun Miller of the Bahamas.

Spectacular closing ceremony as Olympic flag goes to Tokyo

The colourful ceremony, lasting almost three hours, celebrated Brazil's arts and was held in a wet Maracana.

Among the highlights were Tokyo's impressive showcase and a vibrant carnival parade.

"These were a marvellous Olympics, in a marvellous city," said International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach.

"Over the last 16 days a united Brazil inspired the world, in difficult times for all of us, with its irresistible joy for life."

Closing Ceremony For The 2016 Summer Olympics

The closing ceremony starts at 8 p.m. local time, which is one hour ahead of Eastern Time. Because of NBC's time delay, it's airing at 8 p.m. ET and progressively later across the U.S.

We're updating this post with scenes from the event, so please refresh to see what's happening in Rio. We got a late start due to technical issues, so we're filling in some blanks from the official guide to the ceremony.

Tokyo 2020 chief tells Japanese athletes not to mumble anthem

Those who did not sing properly did not deserve to represent the country, said Yoshiro Mori, a former prime minister with a history of gaffes.

He was speaking to 300 athletes at a send-off ahead of the August Olympic Games to be held in Rio de Janeiro.

Reports say attendees had just sung Kimigayo, Japan's national anthem.

"When you go up to the podium, please do not be mumbling but sing the national anthem," Mr Mori told those gathered on Sunday.

Suspicious Black Tidings payment by Tokyo 2020 was "necessary", claims bid leader

This was revealed by the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) President Tsunekazu Takeda.

Takeda, who is a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and led the Bid Committee in Tokyo's successful campaign to secure the hosting rights to the Games, also admitted he was the one who signed off on the transactions.

It is thought the payment was made in two installments in 2013 before Tokyo was chosen to stage the 2020 Olympics at the IOC Session in Buenos Aires.

Tokyo 2020 deny claims of €1.3 million payment ahead of Olympic vote

It was reported yesterday that the seven-figure payment was being investigated by French prosecutors, with Black Tidings at the centre of allegations of corruption within the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

It follows prosecutors, who were already investigating corruption in athletics, widening their investigation to incorporate the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic races in October 2009 and September 2013 respectively in March.