Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony Fireworks

The Winter Olympics is not usually set in my sights as something that I would actually look forward to (mainly due to the lack of beach volleyball as my colleague said, not enough legs out in Winter!!) but whether I was fulfilling my nostalgia for the 2012 London Games or just wanting to see some snow and pyro is up for discussion.

Team GB did a brilliant job despite one or two contentious decision by the judges (I refer of course to GB speed skater Elise Christie) but overall, every event I was fortunate enough to catch up with appeared to be fairly judged and brilliantly executed.

Now the opening firework ceremony was absolutely brilliant despite the technical difficulties with the snowflake which failed to change into an Olympic Ring. Titled ‘Dreams of Russia’ it focussed heavily on classical music and large-scale production pieces.

The Closing ceremony was naturally going to adhere to similar themes with an ode to Russia featuring the classical music, literature, dance (in the form of the brilliant Bolshoi Ballet) and even a drum-line and cuddly toys. They even paid homage to the failure of the snowflake.

The torch was passed onto Pyeonchang, South Korea, in readiness for the 2018 Winter Games which we hope continues in the same spirit.

Of course, the closing ceremony also included a spectacular 9.5 minute lavish fireworks display including some ground-works and massive shell bursts. It was really well-timed and beautifully choreographed. Sharp, slick and simply beautiful – some might say that they were better than London 2012 but in the name of patriotism, I disagree wholeheartedly.