Li hails the Olympic spirit

Clapping and chanting, more than 60,000 spectators and over 3,000 athletes braved rain as magnificent fireworks lit the sky above the Nanjing Olympic Sports Center Stadium, marking the end of the 13-day 2014 Youth Olympic Games.

For the young athletes from 204 countries and regions, it's only a brief farewell to the euphoria originating from efforts to become better, stronger and faster. In their eyes, the event is a starting line for the true passion of sport and a platform to deepen their comprehension of real competition and friendship.

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach made no secret of his praise for the Games as he introduced their climax on Thursday evening.