In an Olympic Games ravaged by doping scandals and COVID-19, the Winter 2022 Olympics hosted by Beijing, China has made a significant imprint on history marked by a splendid closing ceremony.
China’s President Xi Jinping was present during the closing ceremony where Thomas Bach, the President of the International Olympic Committee, hailed the Games as “truly exceptional” before signaling the closing of yet another momentous event in the history of sports and the world at large.
He said, "You embraced each other, even if your countries are divided by conflict. The unifying power of the Olympic Games is stronger than the forces that want to divide us: you give peace a chance."
What makes the Beijing Olympics significant is that it was marked by political tumult having been boycotted by the U.S., U.K., and Canada on account of China’s human rights violations. Additionally, China’s strict zero-COVID policy also saw participants and other officials restricted to “bubbles” and the public forbidden from attending the Games.
The ceremony came to an end with a 90-minute fireworks display coupled with a rendering of “Auld Lang Syne.”