The 2022 Winter Paralympics, commonly known as Beijing 2022, has been officially declared closed on Sunday, following the bans issued to both Russian and Belarusian athletes, and also China's stance in the Russia/Ukraine War. At the “Bird’s Nest” stadium, Beijing on Sunday, China handed over the Paralympics flag to the next host, Italy.
The president of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), Andrew Parsons who declared the event finished, heaped praises on both the athletes, whom he called “beacons of hope, and champions for peace”, and also the organisers for its “awesome organisation, vibrant venues and sensational sport”.
The Paralympic flag was lowered and handed over to Italy’s Milano-Cortina, which will stage the 2026 Winter Games before a drum performance took place to close the ceremony.
“In the Paralympic Villages, there were different nations, different views, different abilities. Differences here did not divide us. They united us,” Parsons said in his speech.
“Through this unity we have hope. Hopes for inclusion, hopes for harmony, and importantly hopes for peace.”
The ceremony was attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The lead-up to the Games was overshadowed by controversy over whether athletes from Russia and ally Belarus should be allowed to compete.
The IPC initially said it would allow the athletes to compete as neutrals, but after threats of boycotts from other competitors and tensions rising in the athletes’ village, organisers banned them from the Games.
