Mario Makes Entrance To Remember At Olympic Games

RIO de JANEIRO, Brazil -- The James Bond entrance with Queen Elizabeth II to the Olympics in London may have been a show starter to remember, but Japan gave Great Britain a run for its money at the end of this year's Games.

On the last night of the international competition, a video beamed to the audience showed videogame icon Mario running around Tokyo in anticipation of the 2020 Summer Olympic Games to be held in that city. After entering his signature green tube, a live Mario figure rose center stage in Rio.

Although not immediately recognizable to many, it was Japan's Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, dressed as the videogame character, hoisting an oversized Mario cap.

In related news, at this year's Games, Nintendo's Mario and Sega's Sonic entertained athletes and spectators. Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Arcade Edition, a new coin-op game jointly developed by the two companies, made its debut at 2016 Olympics. | SEE STORY

TAKE THAT, MR. BOND!Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's entrance dressed as videogame icon Mario at the Olympic Games recalled the James Bond and the parachuting Elizabeth II's entrance at the London Olympics in 2012.