Beijing, 20 February 2022 (dpa/MIA) — The Olympic flame in the Bird's Nest Stadium was extinguished a few minutes after IOC president Thomas Bach declared the 24th Winter Games in Beijing closed. A closing ceremony themed 'One World, One Family' brought to an end 17 days of sports action at a Games held amid both the coronavirus pandemic and disputes over the human rights record of the host. [caption id="attachment_1408412" align="alignnone" width="791"] 20 February 2022, China, Beijing: Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), waves the Olympic flag during the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at the Bird's Nest National Stadium. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa[/caption] Chinese President Xi Jinping was among the dignitaries in attendance but many western nations have staged a diplomatic boycott of the Games citing China's human rights issues. There was also a shadow cast by the potential for conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Bach nonetheless told the athletes: "You overcame these divisions showing in this community we are equal. [caption id="attachment_1408413" align="alignnone" width="1024"] 20 February 2022, China, Beijing: Two performers roll a large globe through the stadium during the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at the Bird's Nest National Stadium. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa[/caption] "May the political leaders around the world be inspired by your example of solidarity and peace," he added, also calling on the international community to "give equal access to [coronavirus] vaccines for everybody around the world."