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Rio de Janeiro's traditional spectacular firework had extra significant this year because as the tick clocked over to 2015 it means that the Olympics and Paralympics are now taking place there "next year" ©Getty Images

Revellers gather and await the first sunrise of 2015 during New Years festivities at Arpoador in Rio de Janeiro, a year Brazilian organisers are promising will be full of "milestones" for next year's Olympics and Paralympics ©Getty Images

Newcastle in England brought in the year of the tournament with a Rugby World Cup 2015 sign on the iconic Tyne Bridge ©England 2015
 
Cardiff Castle marked the start of 2015, a year the Welsh capital will stage a number of key Rugby World Cup matches, with a colourful illumination ©England 2015

A firework display in Edmonton was a useful opportunity for the Canadian city to help drum up support for its bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games, which will be decided at a meeting in Auckland on September 2 ©Edmonton 2022

The Bird's Nest is illuminated during a New Year's eve countdown event to promote the Chinese capital's 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic bid ©Getty Images
People cheer during a New Year's eve countdown event to promote the city's 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic bid at the Bird's Nest Stadium ©ChinaFotoPress/Getty Images

Beijing's National Aquatics Centre - the Water Cube - is illuminated during a New Year's eve countdown event to promote the city's 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic bid ©Getty Images

Chinese folk artists dressed in costume drama performances during the New Year's Eve countdown to 2015 during a a special event at the Olympic Park to promote the Chinese capital's bid to host the 2022 Winter Games ©Getty Images

Young ice hockey players perform during a New Year's eve countdown event to promote the city's 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic bid outside the Bird's Nest ©Getty Images