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Canadian speedskater Catriona Le May Doan lights the Olympic cauldron during the closing ceremony of the Vancouver Olympics. (Robert Skinner/Canadian Press)

The closing ceremony of the Vancouver Games kicked off Sunday with typical Canadian self-deprecation, but quickly became a celebration of Canada and its athletic and cultural achievements — often with a twist of humour.

Mocking the awkward malfunction that delayed the lighting of the indoor cauldron at the opening ceremony, a mime went through the motions of pulling the fourth arm of the massive cauldron from the floor of BC Place.

Former speedskating champion Catriona Le May Doan emerged next, Olympic torch in hand, finally getting a chance to light the final arm.

With cheers still ringing from Vancouver to Charlottetown, after Canada’s dramatic gold-medal win Sunday afternoon over the U.S. in men’s hockey, athletes from around the world marched into the stadium following the playing of O Canada.

Athletes were waving the flags of their respective countries, dancing and cheering the kickoff of the closing ceremony, a less formal affair compared to the opening ceremony of the 17-day Games.

Joannie Rochette of Île-Dupas, Que., was Canada’s flag-bearer for the closing event. The 24-year-ancient figure skater captured the hearts of people around the world with her brilliant, resilient, bronze-medal performance in the wake of her mother’s sudden death at the start of the Vancouver Games.

Sporting wool sweaters adorned with moose heads and tuques, the Canadian athletes — many wearing their gold, silver or bronze medals around their necks — were the last to march into BC Place on Sunday.

Canadian tenor Ben Heppner sang the Olympic anthem, as Mounties brought down the five-ringed flag.

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson handed the flag to International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge, who passed it on to Anatoly Pakhomov, the mayor of Sochi, Russia, host of the 2014 Games.

A celebration of Russia followed.

Russia, athletes, volunteers saluted

The Moscow state chamber choir marched in, singing a haunting chorus, followed by dancers and their interpretive performance of Russian history and culture.

The Russian tribute was capped with an appearance from hockey star Alexander Ovechkin, figure skater Evgeni Plushenko, men’s silver medallist in 2010, and hockey legend Vladislav Tretiak.

John Furlong, CEO of the Vancouver organizing committee (VANOC), paid tribute to athletes and volunteers that made the Vancouver Games possible. He spoke of the Olympic spirit as a “a force that can replace despair with hope, and ignite the human spirit.”

Furlong paid tribute to Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili, who was killed in a horrific training accident on the first day of the Games.

“To the people of Georgia, we are so sad and so sorry for your loss,” Furlong said, as the about 60,000 in attendance at BC Place stood to their feet and clapped. “Your unimaginable grief is shared by every Canadian, and all those that are gathered here.”

Rogge officially closed the Vancouver Games before Canadian singing legend Neil Young delighted the crowd with a moving rendition of Long May You Run.