Beijing 2022 Olympics: Key moments from the Closing Ceremony

The curtain has finally fallen on the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics Games.

Like the sporting action that preceded it, the Ceremony was stunning, heart-warming and full of moments that will likely be remembered for a lifetime by those that watched it.

From jubilant athletes entering the 'Birds Nest' arena for the final time, proudly bearing their Olympic medals and waving their flags, to the official handover to representatives of Milano Cortina 2026, here are some highlights from the finale of the Games in the Chinese capital.

The Closing Ceremony began by first nodding to the splendour of the Opening Ceremony - with the giant snowflake cauldron still suspended in the air.

Underneath, children joyfully danced with snowflake lanterns as cheerful music played. The snowflake has been a consistent symbol throughout both the Opening and Closing Ceremonies highlighting the theme of continuity.

Before the athletes then entered the arena to celebrate the end of their unforgettable Olympic experience a traditional “Chinese knot” pattern appeared on the screens, courtesy of some augmented reality technology.

The knot symbolises 'togetherness' and the way the world has gathered as one, one final time for the Closing Ceremony.

Buoyant athletes, led by their flag-bearers, shortly arrived into the ‘Birds Nest’ waving and dancing.

A carnival-like atmosphere ensued as slightly more relaxed athletes soaked up a final bit of atmosphere before returning home.

For the final time at Beijing 2022 we enjoyed two victory ceremonies.

First up was the women’s cross-country 30km mass start podium which was followed by the medallists from the men’s 50km mass start free.

The smiling and elated cross-country stars on the podium were a stark contrast