Curtain falls on Winter Olympics with another spectacular ceremony, featuring enormous Teddy bears, a stoney-faced President... and self mocking recreation of THAT ring that didn't open

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The Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics were officially brought to a conclusion on Sunday with a closing ceremony that celebrated Russia's culture and heritage - as well as giving an indication of the country's sense of humour.
Spectators at the Fisht Stadium in the Olympic Park, including Russia president Vladimir Putin, took in a show which focused on the art, music, dance and literature of the host nation.
It also featured the traditional athletes' parade and extinguishing of the Olympic flame, plus the official handover to 2018 hosts PyeongChang.

 

 Humour: Performers recreate the ring that did not open during the opening ceremony at the closing event

 Sourpuss: Russia president Vladimir Putin (C) watches events with his usual stoney-faced demeanour

 Cuddly: Children perform next to oversized bear and hare Winter Olympic mascots

And there was a notable light-hearted moment in the proceedings as well when the infamous Olympic rings malfunction from the opening ceremony was parodied by a group of dancers.
During his speech later on in the evening, Sochi 2014 organising committee president Dmitry Chernyshenko spoke of the "the new face of Russia" that had been showcased by the Games.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach then made a speech, in which he thanked Sochi, Russia and, in particular, the athletes, who he suggested had delivered "a message of a society of peace, tolerance and respect" with the community they had formed at the event.

A major talking point in the build-up to and duration of these Olympics has been Russia's hard-line laws on "non-traditional" sexuality, widely seen as an attack on gay rights.
And addressing the athletes, Bach said: "By living together under one roof in the Olympic Village you send a powerful message from Sochi to the world: the message of a society of peace, tolerance and respect.
"I appeal to everybody implicated in confrontation, oppression or violence: act on this Olympic message of dialogue and peace.
"We all have enjoyed exceptional conditions in these Olympic Winter Games.
"Our Russian hosts had promised excellent sports venues, outstanding Olympic Villages and an impeccable organisation.
"Tonight we can say: Russia delivered all what it had promised."

  

 Pyro-techniques: An extravagant fireworks closes the ceremony in Sochi, Russia

 Final farewell: Russian figure-skaters including Elena Ilinykh wave their goodbyes

 Interesting headwear: The flag of Greece is carried into the arena during the closing ceremony

 Magic sparkle: A dancer performs a routine that concluded with the formation of the famous Olympic rings

 Golden girl: Women's skeleton winner Lizzy Yarnold led Team GB out

 Head over heels: A female circus performer adds something different to the closing ceremony

 Lord of the ring: A circus performer balances above the stage as part of the Olympics closing ceremony

The Sochi Olympics have cost Russia a reported £30million to stage and there was plenty of evidence of money having been spent at the lavish opening ceremony, also at the Fisht Stadium, which officially got the Games under way on February 7.
An isolated hiccup in that show had been a technical glitch that led to one of five electronic snowflakes, brought together in mid-air as they turned into rings to form the Olympic symbol, failing to do so properly.
The incident was widely viewed as an embarrassment on Russia's part, but it was recreated early on in Sunday's production by dancers in sparkly outfits on the stadium floor, with one cluster taking longer than the other four to open out into a circle.
By that stage there had already been a highlights reel shown on big screens of the sporting action that had taken place between the two shows and ended with Russia at the top of the medal table.
Soon after, those who had competed emerged for the parade, with skeleton champion Lizzy Yarnold bearing the flag at the head of the Great Britain party and the hosts being led by Maxim Trankov, who, along with partner Tatiana Volosozhar, had earned gold medals in both the pairs and team figure skating events.

 Sky lights: Fireworks explode around the Fisht Olympic Stadium at the end of the Closing Ceremony