Reporters’ notebook: The Olympics closing ceremony is way more fun than you’d think

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February 23, 2026

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editor@creativeunderworld.com

Musicians, choir members and athletes perform during the flag handover portion of the night.

Olympics opening ceremonies tend to get more love than their closing counterparts. But a pair of NPR reporters who watched both in Italy left with a newfound appreciation for the latter.

(Image credit: Piero Cruciatti)