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The Last Day of the Olympic Games (February 22)
After 16 days of winter sports action, the Nagano Games finally came to an end on February 22. The last day of the Olympics saw the final medal awards ceremony in downtown Nagano's Central Square. Since the Closing Ceremony was scheduled for the evening, this was the first awards ceremony held during the day, and people were lined up as much as two-and-a-half hours in advance to watch the winners in the four-man bobsleigh and men's 50-kilometer Nordic skiing events collect their medals. Central Square, a center of activity for all 16 days of the Games, was packed with people.The streets of Nagano City were filled with people out having a good time before the final day of the Games ended. The Buddhist temple of Zenkoji and Chuo Street, which runs from there to Nagano Station, were so crowded you couldn't even see the ground for the people. Nagano isn't likely to be this busy again for a long time!
Trains were jam-packed, too. Unfortunately, there was a technical accident along the Shinano Railways line heading to Minami Nagano Sports Park, where the Closing Ceremony was held, and some trains were cancelled or delayed. When they got running again, they were filled to twice their full capacity!
When the spectators finally made it to Shinonoi Station, they were greeted by the same brass bands from nearby elementary and middle schools that had played on the day of the Opening Ceremony. The area around the station was bustling with people sampling the free candy and tea prepared for them, but it all seemed sort of sad, since it all had to come to an end so soon.
How many of you watched the Closing Ceremony at home? The crowds in the stadium all shouted with surprise as the fireworks went up, and then cheered like crazy. I got to watch the display from right there in the stands, but my friends watching at home left their televisions and went outside to see the fireworks. They were really great. I especially liked the ones that looked like planets and the Olympic emblem, the "Snowflower." In Japan we usually see fireworks in the summer, so it was a rare treat to enjoy them in the winter for a change.
Music played during the ceremony, and everyone got up out of their seats to dance. People were crying, saying things like "This is the best!" and "The Games were a great success!" All the people there were having the time of their life. (Shinonoi Nishi Middle School: Sayaka Fujino, Machiko Nakagawa, Shun Okuno, Ai Miyashita)
Nagano's Chuo Street is packed on the last day of the Games.
Central Square's big screen is almost done counting down the Games.
Fans enjoying the great weather at the last awards ceremony
Athletes celebrating at the Closing Ceremony (Shinano Mainichi Shimbun)
Fireworks light up the night sky to end the Nagano Games.