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China Wraps Up Olympic Idyll

A look back at a successful 2 weeks

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 24, 2008 11:54 AM CDT

(Newser) – The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games wrapped up today with a star-studded fireworks-filled extravaganza worthy of its opening, Reuters reports. With 51 golds, China easily topped the medal rankings, capping a near-flawlessly-executed couple of weeks that saw smog lifting, transport worries evaporating, and Tibet protests dwindling. Still, arrests and suppression of free speech marred China's image, say critics.

But the purpose of the Games is not to "solve all the ills of the world," said IOC chief Jacques Rogge, as the French men's handball team claimed the Games' final gold medal. As Beijing passed the torch to London mayor Boris Johnson, the BBC notes, the UK offered up Jimmy Page and David Beckham on a double-decker bus.

A Chinese police officer looks at fireworks exploding outside the National Stadium during the closing ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic in Beijing Sunday, Aug 24, 2008.
A Chinese police officer looks at fireworks exploding outside the National Stadium during the closing ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic in Beijing Sunday, Aug 24, 2008.   (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
An athelete waves while parading around during the closing ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympics at the National Stadium, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008, in Beijing.
An athelete waves while parading around during the closing ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympics at the National Stadium, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008, in Beijing.   (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
Fireworks explode over the National Stadium during the closing ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Olympics in Beijing, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008.
Fireworks explode over the National Stadium during the closing ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Olympics in Beijing, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008.   (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
Security forces stand guard backdropped by fireworks over the National Stadium during the closing ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Olympics in Beijing, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008.
Security forces stand guard backdropped by fireworks over the National Stadium during the closing ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Olympics in Beijing, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008.   (AP Photo/Petr David Josek )
Dancers wait their  turn to perform at  the National Stadium during the closing ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Olympics in Beijing, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008.
Dancers wait their turn to perform at the National Stadium during the closing ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Olympics in Beijing, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008.   (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Fireworks explode over the National Stadium during the closing ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Olympics in Beijing, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008.
Fireworks explode over the National Stadium during the closing ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Olympics in Beijing, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008.   (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
Fireworks explode over the National Stadium and the Aquatics centre during the closing ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Olympics in Beijing, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008.  (AP Photo)
Fireworks explode over the National Stadium and the Aquatics centre during the closing ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Olympics in Beijing, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008. (AP Photo)   (AP Photo)
Fireworks explode during the closing ceremonies in the National Stadium for the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008.
Fireworks explode during the closing ceremonies in the National Stadium for the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008.   (AP Photo/Kevin Frayer)
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