It was a week of many highs for team USA: unforgettable, gold medal performances and inspiring world-record feats. The Olympics in Rio de Janeiro may be coming to a close, but the conversation online continues.
On Twitter, reactions to the closing ceremony were overwhelmingly positive.
Thoroughly enjoyed the closing #Rio2016 #ClosingCeremony It was colorfully stunning! pic.twitter.com/6awT73i9je
— Bee Williams (@beewilliamsbzzz) August 22, 2016
The show provided many colorful, beautiful images, as rain poured over the Rio arena. Some found confusion watching what appeared to be a dancing broccoli parade across the stage.
Rio reminded the world to eat their broccoli. No excuses! #ClosingCeremony pic.twitter.com/aK3KJfJJtP
— Sreyashi (@butterfenga) August 22, 2016
Uhm, is that dancing broccoli? #ClosingCeremony pic.twitter.com/YCNpYUgpE3
— Derek E. Baird (@derekeb) August 22, 2016
The dancing broccoli are going home from #Rio2016 closing ceremonies - a tomato too pic.twitter.com/9O4u3Nuw81
— Foster Klug (@APklug) August 22, 2016
Gymnast Simone Biles earned not only five medals — gold and one bronze — but, she also won the coveted honor of carrying the U.S. flag in the closing ceremony. Though the large flag towered above the tiny star, Biles carried it proudly, even drawing the admiration of President Barack Obama.
Couldn't be prouder of #TeamUSA. Your determination and passion inspired so many of us. You carried that flag high tonight, @Simone_Biles!
— President Obama (@POTUS) August 22, 2016
.@Simone_Biles selfies dominate #Rio2016 closing ceremony: https://t.co/FTAFAsPVJg pic.twitter.com/fr6k5JWBBn
— NBC10 Philadelphia (@NBCPhiladelphia) August 22, 2016
While Biles was a selfie favorite with everyone at the closing ceremony, not all were on board with her carrying the flag. Others thought the honor should go to runner Abbey D’Agostino. Both she and New Zealand runner Nikki Hamblen fell during a race. D’Agostino was injured, but Hamblen helped her competitor to finish the race. Both women were awarded sportsmanship medals.
#USA's Abbey D'Agostino and #NZL's Nikki Hamblin given Olympic sportsmanship awards https://t.co/IoLyBNRpty pic.twitter.com/gzUsp8glFP
— SI Olympics (@si_olympics) August 21, 2016
Despite fantastic moments and highs for team USA, there were also lows.
Scandal continues to swirl around decorated Olympian Ryan Lochte, as the swimmer was seemingly caught in a lie about how his night turned out. He claimed he and three other swimmers were robbed at gunpoint, yet the story is not holding water.
In an exclusive interview with Matt Lauer, Lochte is now apologizing and taking responsibility for embellishing his story and his “immature behavior.” The Washington Post wrote that there may be disciplinary action taken against the swimmers, as the investigation into their claims continues.