From volunteers to support staff to the joint Korea women's hockey team, people from many cultures bid farewell to each other and to the 2018 Winter Olympics early this morning as
a swath of the eastern Korean Peninsula readied itself for something novel: relative normalcy.
Seven years after a successful Olympic bid that changed its people and its landscape forever, Pyeongchang exhaled.
Workers yanked down paper signs by the hundreds and busloads of Olympians, journalists and support workers rolled toward train stations and highways Monday in the aftermath of a Winter Games that was as political as it was athletic.
PYEONGCHANG-GUN, SOUTH KOREA - Ruthven's Meghan Agosta walks in the Parade of Athletes during the Closing Ceremony of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games February 25, 2018 (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach echoed that sentiment in the closing ceremony Sunday night, saying that the centerpiece political event of the games - a joint Koreas team marching together and, in some cases, competing together was a beacon for a troubled world.
''With your joint march you have shared your faith in a peaceful future with all of us,'' said Bach. ''You have shown our sport brings people together in our very fragile world. You have shown
how sport builds bridges."
Pyeongchang was the Olympic swan song for several top Canadians who have donned the Maple Leaf in multiple Games.
Short-track speedskater Charles Hamelin, luger Sam Edney and figure skaters Tessa Virtue, Scott Moir and Patrick Chan were among those most emphatic that the curtain had come down on their competitive careers in Pyeongchang.
Canada ended the games third overall with 29 medals, 11 gold, 8 silver and 10 bronze. The U.S. finished fourth overall with 23 medals.
Speechless.
— Tessa Virtue (@tessavirtue) February 20, 2018
This is the moment we have dreamed about. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for all of the support.
This one is for you, Canada!
❤️#VirtueMoir #XX #PyeongChang2018 pic.twitter.com/EAt0EYm8bO
OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS! We couldn’t have done this without you, Canada. Thanks to all who could #BeTheCheer #partner pic.twitter.com/lUqPUy07wX
— Scott Moir (@ScottMoir) February 22, 2018
See ya Korea ✌ It's been a slice. Thanks for the memories. #pyeongchang2018 pic.twitter.com/EwG6sBjrEo
— Patrick Chan (@Pchiddy) February 26, 2018
Silver lining moment to share this medal with clean sport crusader, Dick Pound. The world is listening. I'm proud to add my voice - and on-ice results - to the conversation as a nod to those who have come before me, and those who will follow after me. #cleansport #Olympics pic.twitter.com/u53ftoyeWZ
— Sam Edney (@samueledney) February 17, 2018
Bronze medal? Feels like gold! #PyeongChang2018 #TeamCanada pic.twitter.com/0zpOGwVDY2
— Charles Hamelin (@Speedskater01) February 23, 2018
— with files from Metero Source