Black and blank, the television remained inactive on Monday, the post-Olympics withdrawals hitting hard.
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The red off light almost seemed to taunt, as two weeks of non-stop sport came to a grinding, jarring halt.
The Olympics bunker, where I'd locked myself away to work and watch up to 19 hours-a-day of action, was now merely a home office in COVID lockdown again.
Replays of The Chase or Home And Away were not going to cut it, neither would the NBA Summer League or Major League Soccer, the only sporting offerings available during the day.
Instead, the highlights packages and social media offerings would have to fill the void.
A time to reminisce at not only arguably Australia's greatest ever Olympics performance but also the magic moments along the way.
With that, I present 'The Dublers', a nod to the best of Tokyo 2021, the events which made us laugh and cry, during the daily struggle of this pandemic.
The gold, glory and grit
Of course we start with Cedric Dubler himself, the man who couldn't do anymore to lift Australian decathlon teammate Ash Moloney to the bronze medal, if he physically carried him to the finish line.
Dubler, just yelling any sort of encouragement he could muster at Moloney on the final lap of the 1500m run, instantly became an icon of the Aussie spirit which made Tokyo so memorable.
Kaylee McKeown swore in success, while Ariarne Titmus set the tone for the entire campaign by mowing down the US superstar Katie Ledecky in the 400m freestyle, which left the entire nation celebrating like her coach Dean Boxall.
But the mutual respect they showed each other afterwards reflected their standing as greats of the pool.
"I hope we always have a great respect for each other. It's been an honour and a privilege to race her," Ledecky said, who showed great class and poise, even appearing alongside Titmus on the Australian broadcaster the Seven Network.
Emma McKeon became Australia's greatest Olympian with 11 career medals, including the feature 50m and 100m freestyle double.
But her bashful responses to David Koch and Natalie Barr calling her the GOAT and making 'we are not worthy' bowing gestures, showed how much she was coming to terms with her legendary status.
The only thing that hid her blushes was the white facemask she was wearing during the interview.
"I'm honoured to be in the company of all the people who have come before me, winning all those medals," McKeon said, now she can be mentioned in the same breath as Ian Thorpe, Leisel Jones and Susie O'Neill.
And Patty Mills may have carried the Boomers with an inspirational 42-point haul in the bronze medal win over Slovenia, but the way he carries himself as a superstar talent and indigenous Australian will have a lasting impact for future generations.
The hurt, hope and wholesome
What's an Olympics without the wild and whacky along the way.
Kieran Woolley finished fifth behind Australian teammate Keegan Palmer, who won gold in the inaugural park skateboarding event, but will be remembered for crashing into the TV cameraman and being quick to check he was OK.
Back on the track, Jessica Hull broke the 1500m record, but was then beaten home in the final by Aussie teammate Linden Hall, while Pat Tiernan needed a wheelchair after collapsing but still managing to finish the 10,000m.
So did Rhydian Cowley, who earned a break after walking 50km in searing heat and humidity to finish eighth.
"I have to apologise to my fiancée Amelia," he told Seven from a seated position. "She said don't finish in a wheelchair, but it just looked so comfy to sit down after walking 50kms."
Steeplechaser Gen Gregson was devastated after tearing her Achilles tendon mid-race, her dream dashed on her birthday, no less.
Dutch BMX rider Niek Kimmann wins a bravery award as well as a gold medal for suffering a fractured kneecap when he hit an official, but soldiered on to take out the final.
Belgian long jumper Thomas van der Plaetsen's knee gave out as he launched off the runway, face-planting in the pit at the worst possible moment and faces a long recovery.
Diver Tom Daley earned gold and the most wholesome performance award, after knitting a cozy for his medal as well as a jacket complete with Team GB and the Olympic rings on the back.
On the flipside, Morhad Amdouni played the villain for the skullduggery of knocking an entire row of water bottles over, at the 28-kilometre mark of the men's marathon.
Tokyo left us with a thirst for more, after being enthralled in sports we hardly look twice at outside of the Olympics stage.
Read more: Aussie athletes put the world on notice
We owe a debt of gratitude to the athletes and organisers for completing a memorable Games in the middle of one of humanity's great crises.
At least we only have to wait three more years for the next Olympics.
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Tim Barrow
When it comes to sport - at professional and community level - in the Illawarra, I'm here to provide insight, context and opinion, as well as the latest news you won't find anywhere else.
When it comes to sport - at professional and community level - in the Illawarra, I'm here to provide insight, context and opinion, as well as the latest news you won't find anywhere else.
