Association of National Olympic Committees President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah has praised Rio 2016 for "showcasing Olympism in its truest form" ©Getty Images

Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah has praised Rio 2016 for "showcasing Olympism in its truest form".

A total of 83 of the record-breaking 205 National Olympic Committees (NOC) that competed at the Games won medals.

South Sudan and Kosovo both made their Olympic debuts, while 10 NOCs won their first-ever Olympic gold medals, including the team of Independent Olympians.

Bahrain, Fiji, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kosovo, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Tajikistan and Vietnam complete the list.

Fiji’s gold medal came in the men’s rugby sevens competition with the sport making its debut on the Olympic programme.

Among the other highlights was the return of golf to the Games after a 112-year absence as Britain’s Justin Rose and South Korea’s Inbee Park won the respective men’s and women’s events.

"Rio 2016 has produced some spectacular athletic performances," said Sheikh Ahmad.

"Athletes are at the heart of the Olympic Games and Rio 2016 provided athletes with the platform to showcase their talents and inspire the world.

"We witnessed countless Olympic and world records broken, hundreds of upsets and many inspiring performances and individual stories.

"This was all set against one of the most breathtaking natural backdrops the Games has ever seen.

IOC Coordination Commission Chair Nawal El Moutawakel (left) with Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman ©ANOC
IOC Coordination Commission Chair Nawal El Moutawakel (left) with Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman ©ANOC

"However, the Olympic Games is about more than sport.

"It is an opportunity to unite the world and promote the Olympic values.

"During Rio 2016, we witnessed the power of the collective Olympic spirit in action."

Sheikh Ahmad was particularly complimentary of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Rio 2016 Organising Committee.

"Athletes and their NOCs, International Federations, the IOC, the IOC Coordination Commission, led by Nawal El Moutawakel, the Rio 2016 Organising Committee led by Carlos Nuzman and the city of Rio de Janeiro and its Mayor [Eduardo Paes] demonstrated to the world what can be achieved through collaboration, determination and courage," he added.

"Every Olympic Games has its problems but these can be overcome by working together and Rio 2016 will now leave a fantastic legacy for the people of Rio - with world-class venues and an improved transport infrastructure."

The 2016 ANOC Awards, which are scheduled to take place in Qatar’s capital Doha in November, will recognise the performances of athletes and their NOCs during Rio 2016.