The closing ceremony of the Winter Olympics happened on Sunday evening in Beijing, bringing the games to an official close — although the controversy surrounding them is much from over.
Norway completed first overall with a complete of 37 medals, Germany got here in second, raking up 27 medals, followed by the United States with 25 medals in whole.
Meanwhile, host country China gained 9 gold medals, edging out its major rival the US and securing the third spot in official Olympic medal rankings.
Germany got here in second with 12 gold medals, and Norway finished first, topping the Olympic podium 16 times since the video games began on Feb. four.
The closing ceremony occurred at the National Stadium, known as the Bird’s Nest, home to so many iconic sporting scenes in 2008’s Beijing Summer Olympics.
The ceremony started with the doorway of the International Olympic Committee members and Chinese leader Xi Jinpin and his entourage.
IOC President Thomas Bach received nearer to Xi than maybe some other Western chief up to now two years, as the two stopped about 12 ft away from each other and waved awkwardly.
Then there was the triumphant entry of the athletes, adopted by a medals award ceremony for the winners from the ultimate day of competition, and a video montage of highlights from the games.
Entertainment included a pink scarfed children’s choir, and an Italian flag raising ceremony with an unique efficiency of the nationwide anthem by singer Malika Ayane, accompanied by an enthusiastic violinist.
Then, standing at a white podium beneath a giant glowing snowflake within the center of the stadium, Bach began his closing speech with, “Xiexie, Zhongguo” (Thank you, China).
Speaking to the athletes, the IOC president and former Olympian spoke of the Olympic spirit, which has the ability to unite people of all nations, regardless of ongoing conflicts amongst nations.
“We are all equal, regardless of what we seem like, where we come from or what we imagine. Simple as ABC unifying energy of the Olympic Games is stronger than the forces that wishes to divide us. You give peace a chance.
“May the political leaders all over the world be impressed by your example of solidarity and peace.”
A considerably complicated second completed, as two children rolled out a large globe, which they hugged on high of a projection of cracking ice, with the slogan, “DUALITY, TOGETHER” (whatever that means), and the giant snowflake hanging above them.
The odd show was followed by some more (real) Italian entertainment — a contemporary dance performed under the glowing snowflake on a projected winter landscape.
As the Olympic torch was solemnly extinguished, the expected fireworks show lit up the stadium, with the pyrotechnic spectacle studying, “ONE WORLD, ONE FAMILY” above the Bird’s Nest and a simulation of pink snowflakes floating out of the stadium and into the night time sky — for TV audiences only, no doubt.
Although the Olympic flame has been extinguished in Beijing, the controversy surrounding the games will continue, as spectators throughout the globe debate who are the real winners and losers on the world’s biggest stage.
The games drew vital criticism from the international neighborhood over China’s human rights record, with a gaggle of Western and Asian-Pacific international locations staging a diplomatic boycott, together with the US, the UK, Canada, India, Australia and several other other European nations.
This year’s winter video games highlighted the US-China rivalry, whereas also shining the spotlight on Russia’s continued doping offenses, together with of child athletes.
Notably, the American-born freestyle skier Eileen Gu competed for China, successful gold in each the Big Air and Halfpipe occasions, sparking intense debate about her nationality and allegiance.
Competing for the US, Chinese-American Nathan Chen received gold for within the mens singles occasion.
Meanwhile, Russian teen figure skating prodigy Kamila Valieva was allowed to proceed competing after it emerged that a blood pattern examined optimistic for a minimum of one banned substance, including a performance enhancing coronary heart medicine.
This year’s winter games also noticed document low audiences in the US, as television networks cited strong anti-China sentiment, flamed by two years of pandemic, in addition to the widespread criticism of China’s therapy of the Uyghur people in Xinjiang.
The Paralympic Winter Games will take place on March 4-13 in Beijing..