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BEIJING SNAPSHOT: As Olympics ebb, smartphone synchronicity

Beijing Olympics Closing Ceremony
Posted at 12:04 PM, Feb 20, 2022
and last updated 2022-02-20 12:04:35-05

BEIJING — As part of the closing ceremony for the most locked-down and sequestered Olympics in human history, a carefully curated crowd watched as the famed Bird’s Nest stadium as a warm and humanistic show unfolded.

The show was directed by famed Chinese director Zhang Yimou.

It burst with color and music and energy and even joy but felt disconnected from a COVID-compartmentalized Winter Games.

As the flame was about to be extinguished, the crowd took out their phones and waved them as they swayed to music.