Lionel Messi, floating mascots and the words “selfie” and “hashtag” in the IOC president’s speech highlighted the Nanjing Youth Olympic Closing Ceremony, extinguishing the Olympic flame after 11 days of competition in the Chinese city.
IOC president Thomas Bach, who called on the athletes to take selfies in the Opening Ceremony, had a slightly different request in his speech Thursday.
“So again, I ask everybody here in this stadium, get your smart phones out — but do not take a selfie tonight,” Bach said. “In the Olympic spirit greet and thank the person next to you and take their picture. Share this token of friendship with the world, and post it with the hashtag #Nanjing2014.”
U.S. women’s rugby player Richelle Stephens was chosen as flag bearer for the 92-athlete delegation. Rugby is returning to the Olympics in 2016 for the first time since 1924.
The U.S. won 22 medals, including 10 golds, at the Youth Olympics, bettering its totals from the first Youth Olympics in Singapore in 2010. Only host China and Russia placed higher on the medal table in Nanjing.
The Olympic Flag was handed over to Buenos Aires, which will host the 2018 Youth Olympics. Organizers played a video during the Closing Ceremony that included Argentine soccer superstar Lionel Messi.
Lillehammer will host the next Youth Winter Olympics in 2016. The Norwegian site hosted the largely praised 1994 Winter Olympics.
The stadium is #rocking #ClosingCeremony @nanjing2014yog http://t.co/7RYxiRKCTM—
Youth Olympic Games (@youtholympics) August 28, 2014
The letter “n” stands up to symbolize the city gate of Nanjing. #nanjing2014 #closingceremony @youtholympics http://t.co/vgIM7Yrk03—
nanjing2014 (@nanjing2014yog) August 28, 2014
Glowing bicycles enter the stadium @nanjing2014yog http://t.co/p9StV7teDp—
Youth Olympic Games (@youtholympics) August 28, 2014
The silk ribbons in the colors of the Olympic rings. #nanjing2014 #closingceremony @youtholympics http://t.co/geVUbqEeoz—
nanjing2014 (@nanjing2014yog) August 28, 2014
The handover of the Olympic flag to Buenos Aires, host city in 2018! #nanjing2014 #closingceremony @youtholympics http://t.co/nWMssQeixp—
nanjing2014 (@nanjing2014yog) August 28, 2014
The extinguishing of the Olympic flame! #nanjing2014 #closingceremony @youtholympics http://t.co/bh5EDOdP8u—
nanjing2014 (@nanjing2014yog) August 28, 2014
Goodnight and goodbye, #Nanjing2014 Youth Olympic Games! #closingceremony @youtholympics http://t.co/ZFlL7sZ5kz—
nanjing2014 (@nanjing2014yog) August 28, 2014
NBCSN coverage of the Youth Olympics concludes Thursday with the Closing Ceremony (6:30-8 p.m. ET).