(MENAFN- Saudi Press Agency)
Rio de Janeiro, Dhu-AlQa'dah 17, 1437, Aug 20, 2016, SPA -- The Rio Olympics have been "iconic Games, a Games in the middle of reality," International Olympic Committee
president Thomas Bach said Saturday, one day before the event draws to a close, dpa reported.
Bach spoke of iconic sports moments in outstanding venues from the likes of US swim legend Michael Phelps and Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, but also from countries like Kosovo and Jordan who got their first medals. He also highlighted the refugee team.
The Rio Games took place amid Brazil's most severe financial crisis since the 1930s and Bach acknowledged that despite tight security, the sometimes reality in Rio with the various social issues of a metropolis could not be overlooked.
"This are really iconic Games, a Games in the middle of reality. They were not organized in a bubble, but in a city with social problems and divides, and where the real life continued," he said at a news conference in Rio.
"It was very good for everybody to be close to reality and not to have 16 days of Olympics in a bubble somewhere isolated from society, but to face the challenges of reality, to put sport into perspective, see what sports can do, but also understand that there are limitations," he added.
-- SPA
19:39 LOCAL TIME 16:39 GMT
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