Winter Olympics: IOC chief Thomas Bach thanks Chinese people and declares Beijing 2022 Games closed – as it happened
- 'This unforgettable experience was only possible because of our gracious hosts,' IOC president Thomas Bach says in closing ceremony speech
- Attention turns to Milano-Cortina 2026 with handover ceremony, as countdown begins for two Italian cities who are set to co-host next Winter Olympics
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With the final medals handed out, the last winners lauded and losers consoled, attention turned to the closing ceremony at Beijing's Bird's Nest stadium on Sunday evening.
By any measure the Winter Olympics have been a resounding success for the host nation, both on and off the ice. China’s athletes have enjoyed more success than at any Games before, taking home nine gold medals, four silver and two bronze, while the “closed-loop” system has largely kept Covid-19 at bay.
At the end of a hectic 16 days, the closing ceremony celebrated all that has gone before and the passing of the torch to Milano-Cortina, which will host the 2026 event in Italy, as International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach thanked Beijing.
"This unforgettable experience was only possible because of our gracious hosts – the Chinese people," Bach said in his speech, before declaring the 2022 Beijing Games closed.
Reporting by Josh Ball, Matt Eaton, Nick Atkin, Andrew McNicol, Jess Ma, Harvey Kong, Jack Lau, Kinling Lo and Cyril Ip