Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics ends in spectacular ceremony attended by Xi Jinping

The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics officially ended on 20 February 2022 with a spectacular closing ceremony attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The ceremony was held at Beijing’s National Stadium, also known as the “Bird’s Nest”. Present alongside Xi was International Olympic Committee (IOC) President, Thomas Bach.

“The truly exceptional Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 were the beginning of a new era for global winter sport,” Bach said in his speech

“You embraced each other, even if your countries are divided by conflict,” the IOC president said, adding, “The unifying power of the Olympic Games is stronger than the forces that want to divide us: you give peace a chance.”

Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics comes to close
Fireworks and music at closing ceremony

A total of 2,871 athletes participated in the Games and, according to Chinese state media CGTN, over 2,000 attended the closing ceremony.

Olympic athletes entered the LED-screen lit floor of the stadium to the music of “Ode to Joy”. Xi and First Lady Peng Liyuan were reportedly seen joining in the applause.

Red Chinese lanterns were placed on one side of the stadium, where social distancing was maintained.

The Olympic flame was doused as snowflake-themed ceremony was capped with a 90-second fireworks display ending with the words “One World”. A rendition of “Auld Lang Syne” was also performed.

Source: https://www.lifestyleasia.com/hk/culture/events/beijing-2022-winter-olympics-closing-ceremony/