NBC Edited Out a Third of the Closing Ceremonies

Impact

As it always does, NBC edited down the Sochi closing ceremony for its primetime telecast. Though it didn't leave out anything crucial from the event, it did miss a few nice moments. Here are a few:

Image credit: AP

The ceremony kicked off with a dynamic performance by the Russian military drum corps. The performers marched in line to pump up the crowd.

Image credit: AP

The NBC telecast also missed out on the exciting musical performance by the Russian classical pianist Denis Matsuev.

Image credit: AP

The performance started with Matsuev appearing dramatically from the fog. Dozens of pianos then accompanied him, whirling around the stage in dazzling shapes and seemingly exploding.

Image credit: AP

The other major performance that NBC cut out was the massive tribute to Russia's circus past.

Image credit: AP

The performance featured aerial acts, contortionists, dancers and more.

Image credit: AP

On the more serious side of things, NBC also left out some ceremonial traditions, such as hoisting the Greek flag, playing the Greek anthem and handing over the mantle to the next host city of the Winter Olympics: Pyeongchang, South Korea.

Image credit: AP

There was a Korean performance and video montage, followed by a simple message to the audience: "See You in Pyeongchang."

Image credit: AP

The primetime telecast also cut down speeches by Sochi Organizing Committee head Dmitry Chernyshenko and International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach. "Through you, through you everybody with an open mind could see the face of a new Russia. Efficient and friendly. Patriotic and open to the world," Bach said to the volunteers.

Unfortunately, NBC kept in one thing that could definitely have been cut out: a goodbye to perhaps the creepiest Olympic mascots in memory.

Image credit: AP

So long, Sochi — and see you soon, Pyeongchang!