Winter Olympics closing ceremony 2022: when do Games end, date, start time, commentators - how to watch on TV

This weekend sees the closing ceremony of the 2022 Beijing WinterOlympic Games, bringing the curtain down on a fortnight of wintry sport that has been far hotter than its seasonal name would suggest.

The closing ceremony is often a bittersweet moment for sports fans.

On the one hand, it’s a celebration of the games, packing in spectacle and fanfare and allowing the athletes who have performed so well to shine one last time.

On the other, it brings the quadrennial sporting festival to an end, and signals the start of the long wait until the next Games.

Still, it’s a show many will still want to take in. So how can you watch this year’s closing ceremony on TV, and what can you expect to see?

Here is everything you need to know.

When is the Winter Olympics 2022 closing ceremony?

The Winter Olympics is set to officially conclude on Sunday 20 February with its closing ceremony.

The ceremony is due to begin at 12 noon UK time, and will be held at Beijing’s National Stadium - also known as the “Bird’s Nest”.

There’s still plenty of sporting action on the final day of Olympic festivities too, and there are four events that take place that day.

They are: bobsleigh, cross-country skiing, curling, and ice hockey.

What will happen at the closing ceremony?

Traditionally, the ceremony includes a parade of flags representing all participating nations, starting with the founding country of Greece and ending with the host nation - China.

Medals from the final event of the Games are usually presented to the winners and remaining Olympians march in a parade of athletes.

The Olympic flag is lowered and the flag of the next host country - Italy - will be raised alongside the flag of the current host, before being passed on in an exchange of flags.

The Games are declared closed during a speech by Thomas Bach, the International Olympic Committee President, followed by the extinguishing of the Olympic flame.

The competition will officially end with a fireworks show.

How can I watch it?

Following on from coverage of the day’s events shown on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Red Button, the closing ceremony will be shown live on BBC one on Sunday 20 February, beginning at midday and ending at 2.30pm.

Highlights will also be shown on BBC Two that evening at 7pm.

Who is commentating on it?

The BBC has revealed that John Hunt and Gigi Salmon will be providing commentary and expert analysis on the ceremony.

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