Dear Italian friends,
Well done and thank you!
Dear organizing committee friends and partners, you have
succeeded brilliantly in meeting your challenge. These were truly
magnificent games. We say a heartfelt thank you to Italy, Piedmont
and Turin!
Dear volunteers, you, like the athletes, have been the champions
of these games. Your generosity and smiles have won us over. You
have been marvelous.
These Games have been held in the spirit of the Olympic Truce,
with the peace and harmony we all desire.
In two weeks' time, Turin will be hosting the Paralympic Games.
Let us encourage these great athletes who will inspire you.
Athletes, we have admired your brilliant performances. You have
seduced us with your spirit of fair play and brotherhood. Keep the
Olympic flame burning in your hearts. Spread the Olympic dream in
your countries. You are the true ambassadors of our values. Give
back to sport what it has given to you.
Athletes, it is to protect you that the International Olympic
Committee fights untiringly against doping. I promise that we shall
continue to fight for a pure and health sport.
And now, in accordance with tradition, I declare the XX Olympic
Winter Games closed, and I call upon the youth of the world to
assemble from years from now in Vancouver, to celebrate the XXI
Olympic Winter Games.
