1998 Winter Olympics closing ceremony

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The closing ceremony of the 1998 Winter Olympics took place at Nagano Olympic Stadium, Nagano, Japan, on 22 February 1998. It began at 18:00 JST and finished at approximately 19:41 JST. As mandated by the Olympic Charter, the proceedings combines the formal and ceremonial closing of this international sporting event, including farewell speeches and closing of the Games by IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch. The Olympic flame has been extinguished.^[1][2]

First, the Greek flag was raised while its playing the national anthem. Second, the Japanese flag was raised while its playing the national anthem. Third, the Flag of the United States raised while its playing the national anthem. The Olympic flag was passed by the Mayor of Nagano City, Tasuku Tsukada, to IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch, who then handed it over to the Mayor of Salt Lake City, Deedee Corradini. The flag will be raised again in Sydney, Australia for the 2000 Summer Olympics on 15 September 2000 for the opening ceremony.

Salt Lake City, the host city of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, presented a special performance called Contrast, Culture and Courage.

NAOC Vice President Goro Yoshimura delivered a farewell speech in Japanese, thanked everyone. IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch delivered a speech in French, and English, and congratulations to the athletes, the 7 International Olympic Winter Sports Federations, under 72 National Olympic Committee that participated in this Games. And the warmest congratulations to the Nagano Committee for the Olympic Games and also a wonderful volunteers. IOC President Samaranch declares closed the XVIII Olympic Winter Games. And in accordance with their tradition, he calls upon the youth of the world, to assemble 4 years from now in Salt Lake City, United States, to celebrate with them the XIX Olympic Winter Games, the first of the new millennium. Speaking in Japanese，"ありがとう、長野。" - "Thank you, Nagano". "さようなら、日本。" - "Goodbye, Japan".^[3]

After a fanfare, the Olympic Flag was lowered, carried away by Japan Ground Self-Defense Force from the stadium, the Olympic Hymn was sung in Japanese by the Nagano Children's Choir.

The Olympic flame is extinguished from the cauldron. It burn throughout the 16 day competitions. And a song Furusato sung by Anri.

• International Olympic Committee –
  • IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch and María Teresa Samaranch Salisachs
  • Members of the International Olympic Committee

• Japan –
  • NAOC Vice President Goro Yoshimura
  • Emperor Akihito
  • Empress Michiko
  • Naruhito, Crown Prince of Japan
  • Governor of Nagano City Tasuku Tsukada

• United States –
  • Second Lady of the United States Tipper Gore^[4]
  • United States Ambassador to Japan Tom Foley
  • Mayor of Salt Lake City Deedee Corradini^[5]

• National Anthem of Greece - Nagano Police Band
• National Anthem of Japan - Nagano Police Band
• National Anthem of the United States - Nagano Police Band
• Olympic Hymn: (played by Seiji Ozawa and New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra).

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• Official Report of the XVIII Olympic Winter Games, Vol. 2. The Organizing Committee for the XVIII Olympic Winter Games, Nagano 1998. 1999. ISBN 4-7840-9826-7. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
• The Closing Ceremony media guide : the XVIII Olympic Winter Games. Nagano: NAOC. 1998. Retrieved 23 February 2021.