The closing ceremony of the Winter Olympics happened on Sunday night in Beijing, bringing the video games to an official close — though the controversy surrounding them is much from over.
Norway finished first total with a complete of 37 medals, Germany came in second, raking up 27 medals, followed by the United States with 25 medals in total.
Meanwhile, host nation 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 completed first, topping the Olympic podium 16 occasions for the explanation that games started on Feb. four.
The closing ceremony occurred on the National Stadium, generally identified 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 chief Xi Jinpin and his entourage.
IOC President Thomas Bach received closer to Xi than maybe some other Western leader prior to now two years, as the two stopped about 12 toes away from each other and waved awkwardly.
Then there was the triumphant entry of the athletes, followed by a medals award ceremony for the winners from the ultimate day of competitors, and a video montage of highlights from the games.
Bonus included a red scarfed children’s choir, and an Italian flag raising ceremony with an exclusive efficiency of the national anthem by singer Malika Ayane, accompanied by an enthusiastic violinist.
Then, standing at a white podium beneath a large glowing snowflake in the center of the stadium, Bach started 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 power to unite folks of all nations, regardless of ongoing conflicts amongst countries.
“We are all equal, no matter what we look like, the place we come from or what we imagine. This unifying power of the Olympic Games is stronger than the forces that desires to divide us. You give peace a chance.
“May the political leaders all over the world be inspired by your example of solidarity and peace.”
A considerably confusing second completed, as two youngsters rolled out a big globe, which they hugged on high of a projection of cracking ice, with the slogan, “DUALITY, TOGETHER” (whatever that means), and the large snowflake hanging above them.
The odd show was followed by some extra (real) Italian entertainment — a modern dance performed beneath the glowing snowflake on a projected winter panorama.
As the Olympic torch was solemnly extinguished, the expected fireworks show lit up the stadium, with the pyrotechnic spectacle reading, “ONE WORLD, ONE FAMILY” above the Bird’s Nest and a simulation of purple snowflakes floating out of the stadium and into the night time sky — for TV audiences solely, no doubt.
Although the Olympic flame has been extinguished in Beijing, the controversy surrounding the games will proceed, as spectators throughout the globe debate who’re the real winners and losers on the world’s largest stage.
The video games drew important criticism from the international community over China’s human rights report, with a gaggle of Western and Asian-Pacific nations staging a diplomatic boycott, including the US, the UK, Canada, India, Australia and a quantity of other different European nations.
This year’s winter games highlighted the US-China rivalry, whereas additionally shining the spotlight on Russia’s continued doping offenses, including of child athletes.
Notably, the American-born freestyle skier Eileen Gu competed for China, profitable gold in both the Big Air and Halfpipe occasions, sparking intense debate about her nationality and allegiance.
Competing for the US, Chinese-American Nathan Chen gained gold for within the mens singles event.
Meanwhile, Russian teen determine skating prodigy Kamila Valieva was allowed to proceed competing after it emerged that a blood pattern tested constructive for at least one banned substance, including a performance enhancing heart medicine.
Anonymous ’s winter video games also saw report low audiences within the US, as tv networks cited sturdy anti-China sentiment, flamed by two years of pandemic, in addition to the widespread criticism of China’s treatment of the Uyghur people in Xinjiang.
The Paralympic Winter Games will take place on March 4-13 in Beijing..g