Mixed bag: Erratic Pandemic Olympics come to a nuanced end

Athletes arrive during the closing ceremony in the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Athletes from Japan take a selfie during the closing ceremony in the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

The Russian Olympic Committee athletes pose for a photo during the closing ceremony in the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Lights illuminate the field in the Olympic Stadium prior to the start of the closing ceremony at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Volunteers stand as International Olympic Committee's President Thomas Bach gives a speech during the closing ceremony in the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

The Eiffel Tower in Paris appears on the screen during the closing ceremony in the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Fireworks illuminate over National Stadium during the closing ceremony of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)

The French Aerial Patrol fly by the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021. Celebrations were held in Paris Sunday as part of the handover ceremony of Tokyo 2020 to Paris 2024, as Paris will be the next Summer Games host in 2024. The passing of the hosting baton will be split between the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo and a public party and concert in Paris. (AP Photo/Adrienne Surprenant)

Fireworks explode during the closing ceremony in the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo waves the Olympic flag after receiving it from International Olympic Committee's President Thomas Bach during the closing ceremony in the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (Dan Mullen/Pool Photo via AP))

International Olympic Committee's President Thomas Bach hands over the Olympic flag to Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, right, as Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike, left, looks on during the closing ceremony in the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Anti-Olympic protesters gather in front of the National Stadium where the closing ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics is set to start in Tokyo, Japan, Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Kantaro Komiya)