Replicas of Le Le, the mascot of the Nanjing Youth Olympic Games, fly in the air during the closing ceremony of the event on Thursday night in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

The Olympic flame went out on Thursday night as fireworks ­ignited Nanjing's night sky when the second Youth Olympic Games came to its conclusion.

The 13-day event, under the motto "Share the Games, Share our Dreams," ended with an emotional closing ceremony after the 204 athlete representatives from countries and ­regions stepped into the stadium with their hands holding their flags.

Performers were arranged to spell out the letters "NANJING," while a light show was set on the ground floor.

Five long silk ribbons in the colors of the Olympic Rings rose from the ground led by five female dancers, drawing gasps from the audience.

A choir, led by singer Ping An, made of volunteers at the Games, was the highlight of the ceremony as they sang under the gaze of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang before the Olympic flame went out at the Nanjing Olympic Sports Center.

A number of local children were excited by giant balloons made in the style of mascot Le Le, which floated above the ­capacity crowd.

China's traditional erhu ­musical instrument also featured by as erhu great Bian Liunian played a  solo in midair while on a high wire. Bian, a Nanjing native, was also the chief music designer of the closing ceremony.

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said the organization of the Youth Olympic Games was "perfectly flawless."

"These Summer Youth Olympic Games were a resounding success thanks to our wonderful Chinese hosts," Bach said at the closing ceremony. "All of us, from every corner of the world, would like to thank the government and the people of China, Jiangsu and Nanjing."

The volunteers received wide praise from media and citizens, and even earned gratitude from Bach.

"We have seen the great friendliness and efficiency of the volunteers," Bach told a news conference ahead of the ceremony. "I think everybody was impressed by the work of these volunteers, and by not only their work but also by their smiles."

The president then added his hopes of letting the Youth Olympic Games inspire more youngsters to not only watch sports but also play and to get all the "couch potatoes" off the couch.

The top athletes at the Nanjing Youth Olympic Games are widely expected to compete in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, and more reasonably, at the 2020 Tokyo Games.

Stadia and venues for the Nanjing event are planned to be opened to the citizens to use for sports for a cheap entry fee, according to the organizers.

The next Youth Olympic Games is set to be held in Buenos Aires in 2018. Argentine representatives didn't present at the ceremony to take over the Olympic flag.

Photo: Cui Meng/GT

Photo: Cui Meng/GT

Photo: Cui Meng/GT

Photo: Cui Meng/GT

Photo: Cui Meng/GT

Photo: Cui Meng/GT

Photo: Cui Meng/GT

Photo: Cui Meng/GT

Photo: Cui Meng/GT