page_title: Olympic Games
section_title: Closing
hierarchical_section_title: Olympic Games / Ceremonies / Closing
caption_attribution_description: English: The Bird's nest, Beijing, during the closing ceremony of the 2008 olympic games, august 24th Français&#160;: Le nid d'oiseau, Pékin, durant la cérémonie de cloture des Jeux Olympiques 2008, le 24 août
context_page_description: The Olympic Games is an important international event featuring summer and winter sports. Summer Olympic Games and Winter Olympic Games are held every four years. Originally, the ancient Olympic Games were held in Ancient Greece at Olympia. The first games were in 776 BC. They were held every four years until the 6th century AD. The first "modern" Olympics happened in 1896 in Athens, Greece. Athletes participate in the Olympics Games to represent their country.
  Over time the Olympics have become bigger. In old times, women were not allowed, but now there are women's events. The Winter Games were created for ice and snow sports. The Paralympic Games were created for athletes with physical disabilities. As well, the Olympics became bigger with the addition of the Youth Olympic Games for teenage athletes. World War I and World War II led to the cancellation of the 1916, 1940, and 1944 Games. As the decision-making body, the International Olympic Committee is responsible for choosing the host city for each Olympic Games. The IOC is also responsible for choosing what sports are in the games.The creator of modern Olympics is Baron Pierre Coubertin.
context_section_description: The closing ceremony of the Olympic Games takes place after all sporting events have concluded. Flag-bearers from each participating country enter the stadium. They are followed by the athletes who enter together without any national distinction.
  Three national flags are hoisted while the corresponding national anthems are played. The flag of Greece to honor the birthplace of the Olympic Games. The flag of the current host country. The flag of the country hosting the next Summer or Winter Olympic Games is also flown. 
  The president of the organizing committee and the IOC president make their closing speeches. The Games are officially closed and the Olympic flame is put out. 
  In what is known as the Antwerp Ceremony (as this tradition was started in Antwerp), the mayor of the city that organized the Games transfers a special Olympic flag to the president of the IOC. The president then passes it on to the mayor of the city hosting the next Olympic Games. 
  After these compulsory elements, the next host nation briefly introduces itself with artistic displays of dance and theater representative of its culture.
caption: Athletes gather in the stadium during the closing ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics
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