The Olympic flame for the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, which has been burning in the National Stadium for 16 days, was extinguished at the closing ceremony here on Sunday. The flame, burning in a torch placed in the middle of a giant snowflake-shaped cauldron, gradually went out to the songs by a chorus of children. Their singing transitioned from Beijing 2008's theme song, You and Me to Snowflake, that of Beijing 2022, highlights the historic achievement of the Chinese capital as the first city to host both Summer and Winter Olympic Games. Read:Beijing’s ‘invisible’ Olympics: Muted but watched online IOC chief declares Beijing Winter Olympics closed International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach declared the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games closed here on Sunday. Bach called the Beijing Winter Olympics "truly exceptional" in his speech at the closing ceremony held at the National Stadium. "The Olympic spirit could only shine so brightly, because the Chinese people set the stage in such an excellent way - and in a safe way," said the IOC chief. Olympic flag handed over to Milan-Cortina 2026 The Olympic flag has been handed over to mayors of Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, the host cities of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, at the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Games here on Sunday. Beijing mayor Chen Jining passed the Olympic flag to International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach, who then handed it to the mayors of the 2026 host cities. Recognition of the volunteers On behalf of the athletes, newly elected member of the IOC Atheltes' Commission presented lanterns to representatives of the volunteers, as a tribute and mark of gratitude for their work carried out during the Games. Victory Ceremony at the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Victory Ceremony of the cross-country skiing women's 30km mass start free event during the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games. Victory Ceremony of cross-country skiing men's 50km mass start free event during the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games. Read:How China got blue skies in time for Olympics Athletes parade at the closing ceremony Athletes parade during the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games. Flag bearers parade at the closing ceremony Flag bearers parade during the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games.  Children perform at the closing ceremony Children perform at the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games. Xi attending closing ceremony of Beijing Winter Olympics Chinese President Xi Jinping is attending the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, held at the National Stadium in Beijing on Sunday night.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday delivered a video address at the opening ceremony of the 139th session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), saying that China will do its best to deliver to the world a streamlined, safe and splendid Olympic Winter Games. Xi extended a warm welcome to IOC President Thomas Bach and IOC members who have gathered in Beijing, the first city to host both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, during the Spring Festival, and held the 139th IOC Session. Read: President Xi Jinping, China’s ‘chairman of everything’ Noting that the world today, under the combined impact of changes unseen in a hundred years and a once-in-a-century pandemic, is entering a new period of turbulence and transformation and facing multiple challenges to humanity, Xi said the IOC has led the Olympic Movement in forging ahead with courage and fortitude, playing an important and unique role in galvanizing global solidarity and cooperation to tide over this difficult time. He thanked the IOC for its active contribution to the development of sport in China over the years and for its strong support and guidance for China's bid and preparation for the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. Xi stressed that from "One World, One Dream" in 2008 to "Together for a Shared Future" in 2022, China has taken an active part in the Olympic Movement and consistently championed the Olympic spirit. China is committed to pursuing the Olympic ideal with concrete actions. Read: A Uyghur gets death sentence, as China bans once OK’d books "By preparing for and organizing the Winter Games, we have successfully engaged 300 million Chinese in sport on snow and ice. We have also promoted regional development, ecological conservation, green and innovative solutions and the betterment of people's lives in China, and created greater space for the development of winter sport worldwide," he said. Noting that the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 will open on Friday, Xi said the world is turning its eyes to China, and China is ready. "China will do its best to deliver to the world a streamlined, safe and splendid Games, and act on the Olympic motto 'Faster, Higher, Stronger - Together'."