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.
See also: Russia Pokes Fun at Olympic Ring Malfunction in Closing Ceremony
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

A spectator walks by a sign at the entrance to the Olympic Park ahead of the 2014 Winter Olympics closing ceremony on Feb. 23 in Sochi, Russia.
Veleriya Obarevich (right) and Yan Shamilov carry a Russian flag with the message "Thank you, Putin!" written across it in Russian.
Performers sing on stage before the start of the ceremony.
A floating boat moves above 700 performers.
Dancers create sparkling shapes on the ice.
Performers recreate the unopened ring from the opening ceremony.
Fireworks explode above the now-opened ring.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (center right) and International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach (center left) watch from above.
A military band performed after the dancers.
Performers wearing ornate costumes line up for the ceremony.
Britain's Elizabeth Yarnold (center) and South Korea's Lee Kyou-hyuk Lee (right) carry their national flags.
South Korean athletes enter the arena and pass an Olympic flag.
(From left) Norway's silver medalist Therese Johaug, gold medalist Marit Bjoergen and bronze medalist Kristin Stoermer Steira accept their medals for the 30k cross-country race during the closing ceremony.
Russia's 50k cross-country gold medalist Alexander Legkov (center), with countrymen silver medalist Maxim Vylegzhanin (left) and bronze medalist Ilia Chernousov brought Russia's total medal count to 33.
Performers, suspended from helium-filled clouds, float above dancers.
An artist performs suspended from a helium-filled cloud.
Pianos are wheeled out and moved around the stage.
Russian pianist Denis Matsuev plays as performers move about and accompany him.
Performers dance accompanied by Matsuev.
A dancer and his partner perform on stage.
Acrobats arrive on stage in a car.
Following the piano performance, acrobatics took over.
The Olympic flag is brought out and ceremoniously given to South Korea, the host of the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Putin greets South Korean Prime Minister Chung Hong-won in the presidential lounge before the ceremony.
Greece's national flag is hoisted between South Korea's and Russia's in honor of the origin of the games.
Following the passing of the Olympic flag, South Korean artists performed.
Dancers provide a preview of the South Korean games.
South Korean artists perform during the closing ceremony.
The Pan Russian Children's Choir performs.
President and CEO of the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee Dmitry Chernyshenko spoke, praising the Olympic athletes for their tolerance as a good example of a harmonious community, before declaring the Olympics officially over.
A final flying opera closed the ceremony.
A robotic leopard is reflected in mirrors.
Giant robotic mascots gather around the Olympic flame before extinguishing it.
The end.