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TOKYO 2020 DELIVERS A SURPRISE AT RIO 2016 CLOSING CEREMONYPYEONGCHANG 2018 BEGINS VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENTOn 1 July, the Organising Committee for the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 launched a global volunteer recruitment programme. Using a new website for applications, the initiative seeks to recruit 22,400 volunteers to assist with a range of tasks in areas that include sport, medical services, media operations, technology and language services. Further information can be found atvol.pyeongchang2018.com.IOC President Thomas Bach has awarded Olympic Orders in gold to Carlos Arthur Nuzman, the President of the Rio 2016 Organising Committee, and Eduardo Paes, Mayor of Rio de Janeiro, while Rio 2016 Chief Executive Officer Sidney Levy received the Olympic Order in silver.“These were marvellous Olympic Games in the cidade maravilhosa. The Olympic Games Rio 2016 have shown the best of the cariocas and Brazilians to the world,” said President Bach. The Olympic Games Rio 2016 saw thousands of athletes inspiring the world with their exceptional performances, moments of outstanding sportsmanship and great emotions at wonderful sporting venues. “My heart is full of gratefulness, my heart is full of thanks and my heart is full of admiration for all of you,” added the IOC President.Tokyo 2020 offered a visually stunning high-tech preview of the next Olympic Games during Rio 2016’s Closing Ceremony, capped by a surprise cameo appearance from Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzō Abe.As is traditional, after the Olympic flag was passed from Rio de Janeiro to Tokyo, the host of the next edition of the Games was given an opportunity to provide a glimpse of what athletes and spectators can expect when the Games of the XXXII Olympiad get underway in the Japanese capital. The presentation began with a fast-paced sporting and cultural video tour of the host city, with an appearance by Prime Minister Abe, who was said to be running late on his trip to Rio de Janeiro for the Closing Ceremony.With the help of some video trickery, the Japanese leader morphed into the popular video game character, Super Mario, before jumping into a deep tunnel. Seconds later, he popped up in his Super Mario costume at the other end of the “tunnel” in the middle of the Maracanã, prompting gasps from the crowd. Prime Minister Abe’s surprise appearance underlined Japan’s commitment to hosting the Games, and also hinted at the innovation, originality and creativity that we can expect from Tokyo 2020 in keeping with its official slogan, “Discover Tomorrow”.Pictured Japanese Prime MinisterShinzō Abe appears during the Rio 2016 Closing CeremonyAbove Carlos Arthur Nuzman (left) and Eduardo Paes were awarded Olympic Orders in goldRIO 2016 ORGANISERS RECEIVE OLYMPIC ORDER18 OLYMPIC REVIEW