With one last dash of glitz, the crackle of fireworks and a little rock 'n'
roll, Beijing bid farewell to the world.
"These were truly exceptional Games," declared International Olympic Committee
President Jacques Rogge at the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing Olympics on
Sunday. "Tonight, we come to the end of 16 glorious days which we will cherish
forever."
With the extinguishing of the massive Olympic flame, the curtain was brought
down on the most expensive and anxiously anticipated Olympics in history.
China invested over 40 billion dollars in a new airport, subway lines and
sparkling venues like the National Stadium and the National Aquatics Center,
affectionately known as the Bird's Nest and Water Cube, respectively. It faced
questions of air quality and human rights.
While fears regarding the air proved unfounded, on the human rights front, time
will tell whether China will make the same progress it has made economically
and athletically.
The host nation not only meticulously prepared stunning arenas for the Games
and executed the events like clockwork, but its athletes produced a daily slew
of gold medal-winners.
The Chinese national anthem was played 51 times as Chinese athletes ascended
the top step of the medal podium. China finished with 100 total medals, second
only to the 110 of the United States, which won 36 gold medals.
While China ruled in its usual dominant sports such as table tennis and diving,
its investment in national training camps targeting the Beijing Games paid off
with golds in 17 sports and medals in 24.
These Games also produced two of the greatest achievements in Olympic history.
American Michael Phelps entered eight events in swimming, including three
relays, and won all eight--seven in world record time--topping the seven gold
medals won 36 years ago by Mark Spitz.
Several days later, a lanky Jamaican with the insanely appropriate name of
Bolt--first name, Usain--became the first sprinter in history to break both the
100- and 200-meter world records at the same Olympics. As an encore, he and his
Jamaican teammates added the 4x100 relay record as well.
Which one is the bigger star? Take your pick. They both thrilled us, and that's
what it's all about.
"New stars were born," Rogge said. "Stars from past Games amazed us again. We
shared their joys and their tears, and we marveled at their ability. We will
long remember the achievements we have witnessed here."
Japan can count one of its athletes among the more memorable, as Kosuke
Kitajima became the first male in Olympic history to sweep both breaststroke
events in consecutive Games. He gave Japan two of its nine gold medals and 25
overall.
At Sunday's ceremony, China put on its last grand performance with its usual
cast of thousands. In one of many symbolic gestures, Beijing Mayor Guo Jinlong
handed the Olympic flag over to Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, which will
host the next Olympic Games in 2012.
The second half of the ceremony introduced London. One of the city's iconic
double-decker buses rolled onto the floor of the stadium before transforming
into a stage.
Then things got rockin.' None other than guitarist extraordinaire Jimmy Page
himself broke out with the infamous riff from Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta
Love," which was sung by Leona Lewis.
But even with David Beckham making an appearance, London organizers will have a
tough act to follow.
"It is clear that China has put the bar very high," Rogge said at a press
conference earlier in the day.
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