IOC head declares the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics officially closed
Fireworks explode over the Beijing National Stadium and the skyline of the city during the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, in Beijing, China, February 20 2022. Picture: KEVIN FRAYER/GETT IMAGES
The Beijing Games, contained inside a “closed loop”, were the second Olympics in six months to be deprived by Covid-19 of much of its festivity. Sunday night’s ceremony was capped by a 90-second fireworks display that spelt out “one world, one family,” followed by a rendition of During the ceremony, Bach praised Beijing's organisers and made a call for unity as well as universal access to Covid-19 vaccines.
Later, a group of 365 people bade farewell with a glowing green willow twig, enacting a traditional Chinese gesture of regret over parting. Dozens saw their preparations disrupted by enforced isolation, leading team officials and athletes to demand improved conditions including better food, internet, training equipment and more space.
China’s nine gold medals exceeded expectations, putting it in third place, while winter sports powerhouse Norway, with a population of just 5.5-million, won a record 16.While Xi delivered a spectacle for a Chinese public that was unable to attend — tickets were not sold and many connected with the Olympics through the unexpected mania for panda mascot Bing Dwen Dwen — millions of Americans tuned out, with TV viewership reported to be far lower than during the 2018 Pyeongchang Games.
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