As the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 come to an end, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach hailed the games as "a great success because the athletes gave them the Olympic soul," on Sunday.

"I've never before felt such an intensity in the atmosphere in the Olympic village and on the field of play, such a togetherness among the athletes and the athletes are very grateful that the games, under these circumstances, could take place at all. This emotion, this feeling, this atmosphere, they have managed to share it with the entire world. You could feel, see and hear it, not only in the Olympic village but on the field of play, in interviews, in conversations and therefore these Olympic games are a great success," he continued

Bach stated the games were a symbol of hope for millions around the world.

"They are a great manifestation of solidarity...they are a great manifestation of peace, because without solidarity, there is no peace," he added.

Tokyo 2020 mostly played out in empty venues with only athletes, team officials and media present. The games also faced backlash from Japanese residents, with Tokyo and other regions under a state of emergency after COVID-19 infection rates increased across Japan.