THE OLYMPIC SPIRIT SHINES

"Let the Olympic spirit of peace, mutual respect, and understanding shine throughout the Games and beyond," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a video message to the opening of the Games on February 4.

And the smooth running of the Olympics has met what the organizers promised - that is, to warm up the world through greatness in winter sports and offer up tear-jerking and heart-filled moments.

Ski prodigy Gu Ailing caused a huge sensation at the Olympics, as the 18-year-old became the first freestyle skier to win three medals in a single Games, inspiring millions of people of younger generations.

Gold medalist Gu Ailing shows her medals after the award ceremony for the women's freeski halfpipe at Zhangjiakou Medals Plaza on Feb. 18, 2022. [Xinhua/Xue Yubin]

"It's really great to see and it's so inspiring. She makes me want to be a better skier myself. I think she's amazing for the sport," said British freestyler Zoe Atkin.

Inspiring stories of breakthroughs also came at the National Speed Skating Oval, where Sweden's Nils van der Poel lowered his own previous world record in 10,000m and home favorite Gao Tingyu became the first-ever Chinese male Olympic gold medalist in speed skating.

The host nation dispatched a 388-member contingent, including 177 athletes. With its largest-ever presence in the Winter Games, China recorded its best-ever Winter Olympic haul of 15 medals, while powerhouse Norway leads the medal count with 37 medals, 16 of which are gold.

But medals are not all that matters at the Olympic Games.

After losing to the United States, China's curling duo Fan Suyuan and Ling Zhi presented their American counterparts, Vicky Persinger and Chris Plys with a set of pin badges featuring Bing Dwen Dwen, the mascot for the Games that has gone viral.

Fan Suyuan (2nd L) and Ling Zhi (2nd R) of China pose for photos with Christopher Plys (L) and Vicky Persinger of the United States after their curling mixed doubles match at the National Aquatics Center on Feb. 5, 2022. [Xinhua/Wang Jingqiang]

China's four-time Olympian Xu Mengtao finally realized her dream of winning an Olympic gold in the women's aerials and she burst into tears before receiving a long hug from American freestyle skier Ashley Caldwell. "Taotao! Olympic champion!" Caldwell warmly said to Xu, referring to her nickname, adding, "I am so proud of you!"

Despite coming in last in the women's 3,000m, German speed skater Claudia Pechstein embraced the result as if she had won a gold. "It's my success!" remarked the 49-year-old who made history to become the oldest woman Winter Olympian, and the first-ever female to compete in eight Winter Olympics.