International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach said Sunday night the Tokyo Games sent a powerful message of hope, solidarity and peace.

At the closing ceremony at the National Stadium, Bach said the unifying power of sports was more remarkable as the games were held amid the coronavirus pandemic.

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach addresses the closing ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics on Aug. 8, 2021, at the National Stadium. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

"In these difficult times, you give the world the most precious of gifts: hope," Bach told the athletes who gathered for the ceremony marking the end of the 17-day games.

"For the first time since the pandemic began, the entire world came together," the IOC president said. "This gives us hope. This gives us faith in the future."

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