Samaranch closes ‘best ever’ Olympic Games

Sydney: IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch closed the Sydney Olympics on Sunday, declaring it ''the best Olympic Games ever''.

Samaranch formally ended the Games at the closing ceremony in Stadium Australia before 110,000 spectators and thousands of athletes.

The 80-year-old IOC leader, who retires next year, said, ''These are my last games as IOC president. They could not have been better. Therefore, I am proud and happy to proclaim that you have presented to the world the best Olympic Games ever.''

Samaranch started his speech with a rare joke and a tribute to the enthusiastic support of Australians for the Sydney Games.

''Seven years ago, I said: 'and the winner is..Sydney'. Well, what can I say now? Maybe, with my Spanish accent: Aussie, Aussie, Aussie.

''To you, all the people of Sydney and Australia, we say: These have been your Games.''

After declaring the 17-day Games closed, Samaranch, as required by tradition, called upon the youth of the world to assemble again in four years time for the next Games -- at the birthplace of the Olympics in Athens.



(c) Reuters Limited.