Russia ended the 2014 Winter Olympics with an emotional kick delivered by a massive bear on ice skates.
The closing ceremony featured beautiful ballet, a nod to Russian literature and the return of its giant Olympic mascots. The bear stole the spotlight for the final part of the farewell festivities, blowing out the Olympic flame and shedding a single tear.
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NBC left the bear, as well as his snow leopard and rabbit pals, out of the opening ceremony's primetime broadcast. Despite the omission, the bear gained popularity online for its oddly subdued (read: stoned) and nightmarish expression.
Let's hope NBC producers have come to their senses, and include the oversized, emotional furball in the closing ceremony airing Sunday night.
Augh, I'm crying with the terrifying bear. I think there's something wrong with me #ClosingCeremony pic.twitter.com/uv8Jwsib1D— Tara Mulholland (@tara_mulholland) February 23, 2014
Hmmm, how can we make the Olympic bear more terrifying to children? Let's add fire! #ClosingCeremony— Jonathan Zinck (@jzonthepier) February 23, 2014
Nightmare Bear, Closing Ceremony Edition. #Sochi2014 pic.twitter.com/a35Xgu7vAM— Lou Dubois (@dubois) February 23, 2014
That bear really got to me #ClosingCeremony— Kathleen McGee (@katie_j_mc) February 23, 2014
Gigantic bear's single tear. pic.twitter.com/rzvwO9MqqP— Sara (@gidget) February 23, 2014
Goodbye, Sochi. *tear*
Image: Imgur
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