The XXIV Winter Olympics Comes to an End in Beijing
posted by Jacqueline Leibman | February 21, 2022 | In SportsAfter an exciting two weeks, another Winter Olympics has come and gone. The Closing Ceremonies were held Sunday in the Beijing National Stadium, allowing the athletes who remained in China one more time to celebrate with their international peers.
The stadium— which seemed to allow more spectators to be present— once again made use of the massive LED floor. As the athletes entered, they gathered on a giant snowflake made symbolically out of Chinese knots projected on the ground. Several video montages were played highlighting moments throughout the games, as well as honoring the volunteers who made it all possible.
Bobsledder, Elana Meyers Taylor, was elected as the Closing Ceremony flag-bearer for Team USA, after missing out on carrying the flag during the Opening Ceremony due to a positive COVID-19 test. Meyers is only the second U.S. athlete voted to carry the U.S. flag during both ceremonies—the last being Jack Heaton in 1948.
The United States finished in fifth place with 25 total medals. Norway finished first in the medal count—as they did in the 2018 games— with 37 medals. Since last Friday, Team USA added 4 gold, 4 silver, and 4 bronze medals. Team USA was looking to beat its Winter Olympic medal record of 34 overall, which occurred during the last United States-hosted games back in 2002 in Salt Lake City.
While this record might not have been broken, the games provided plenty of entertainment: from the drama of the women’s figure skating event being caught up in another Russian doping scandal, to the freezing cold and windy weather affecting athletes’ performances as well as delaying some events.
Part of the ceremony was the handing over of the International Olympic Committee flag, signifying the end of one country’s hosting duties and the beginning of another’s. Italy is set to co-host the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games in the cities of Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, which will take place two years after the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.
The Beijing Olympic games are not completely finished as the attention now turns to the Paralympic Games, which starts March 4. Paralympians will compete across six different sports.
The ceremony concluded with words from IOC President Thomas Bach officially marking the Winter Olympic Games closed, with a giant dance party featuring fireworks and a dazzling light display.
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