BEIJING 2022 LIVE - CLOSING CEREMONY CONCLUDES AS WE BID FAREWELL TO THE WINTER GAMES

The mayor of Beijing will now pass an Olympic flag to the mayors of Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo as the Malanhua’er Children’s Choir sing the Olympic Anthem.

Here comes the Italian national anthem too.

Olympic flag - check

Chinese flag - check

Now it's time to raise the Greek flag and play that national anthem. It's in recognition of the birthplace of the Games.

One more still to go on that flag podium...

We've just had a visual spectacle involving a willow twig.

In traditional Chinese culture it is given as a parting gift between friends. It's not 'goodbye' but 'see you again soon'.

The final medals have been awarded and another video montage captures plenty of smiles and emotions of a lot of the volunteers involved over the past 19 days or so.

The soundtrack is 'a beautiful world' and it precedes six representatives for the 2200 volunteers being presented with traditional Chinese lanterns.

The cold and windy conditions meant the blue-riband 50km race was shortened to less than 30km but Alexander Bolshunov still lived up to his status as the big favourite on Saturday.

The Russian pulled away from compatriot Ivan Yakimushkin and Norway's Simen Hegstad Kruger on the final uphill section and was able to cruise to the finish line for his third gold of the Games.

They've had to wait a little longer than most, but it's a nice scenario in which to stand on a podium.

It's a couple of ceremonies within a ceremony.

The final medal presentations of Beijing 2022 will now take place.

Norway's Therese Johaug won the women's 30km X country title and she gets her moment on the podium right now. Not a bad place to do it!

The athletes' parade is finally brought under a bit of control and it's on with the schedule.

We are now being treated to a video complete with triumphant soundtrack that is showcasing some of the more memorable moments from the Games.

Team GB are out in force!

Wondering what that big red thing was all about?

Well, the official Olympics Twitter feed has been quick to give a succinct explanation.

"The knot symbolises the connection of athletes coming together from all over the world."

Film director Zhang Yimou makes history as the first man to orchestrate the opening and closing ceremonies in the same city twice after receiving rave reviews for his efforts at Beijing 2008.

The athletes enter the arena with flags held aloft. There's some serious Olympic royalty strolling out right now.

The Chinese flag is raised alongside the Olympic flag as the country’s anthem is played.

Back to the children who create rings on the surface via the well-time appearance of some snow mobiles! It results in the appearance of a traditional Chinese knot.

I'm told this section is inspired by the Chinese zodiac signs.

The ceremony kicks off with children dancing underneath a giant snowflake. They are each carrying glowing snowflake lanterns before surging forward on to giant lettering: BEIJING 2022.

It's time to say farewell. Over two weeks of sensational action across 15 different sports comes to an end with a celebration and a nod to the future in the Beijing National Stadium.

Grab yourself a brew and settle in. The closing ceremony for Beijing 2022 is coming up next.