The 2008 Beijing Games have been praised as "truly exceptional" by Olympics chief Jacques Rogge. Sixteen days of action, starring 10,000 athletes from 204 nations, ended with a spectacular closing ceremony at the Bird's Nest Stadium.
"New stars were born. Stars from past Games amazed us again," said Rogge. "We shared their joys and their tears, and we marvelled at their ability. We will long remember the achievements we witnessed here."
Rogge, the International Olympic Commitee president, added: "We come to the end of 16 glorious days which we will cherish forever. Thank you to the people of China." Chinese President Hu Jintao acknowledged the support from around the world.
Despite fears over security, pollution and humidity, the 2008 Games will be remembered for some record-breaking achievements. Hosts China topped the medals table for the first time, with 51 golds ahead of the United States with 36 and Russia's 23.
Two competitors at the Games went from being famous in their own sport to being international superstars. American swimmer Michael Phelps won eight titles, beating the 36-year-old gold medal mark set by Mark Spitz. Jamaican Usain Bolt broke three world records as he cruised to a sprint title treble and livened up the athletics arena with his flamboyant celebrations.
Usain BoltMichael Phelps
London received the Olympic flag to signal the start of its reign as Olympic host city - London Mayor Boris Johnson was given the flag by IOC President Jacques Rogge at the closing ceremony in Beijing. An eight-minute handover presentation, featuring a red double-decker bus, footballer David Beckham and musicians Jimmy Page and Leona Lewis followed. An estimated 40,000 people celebrated the handover at a party in London.
Coverage on The World:
China's medal haul August 25th, 2008
Jamila Trindle reports from Beijing that China is basking in the after-glow after the successful completion of the Olympic Games.
Legacy of the Beijing Games August 25th, 2008
Lisa Mullins speaks with Mary Kay Magistad about the legacies the Beijing Olympics are leaving behind.
Age of Chinese athletes August 22nd, 2008 He KexinThe International Olympic Committee has instigated an investigation into the ages of several Chinese gold-medal-winning gymnasts. China is being asked to hand over extra documents to confirm that five gymnasts were old enough to compete. The BBC has seen one document on the internet that suggests gold medal winner He Kexin is only 14 years old, not 16 as the rules require. Chinese officials have strenuously denied the allegations. Lisa Mullins talked with Mary Kay Magistad in Beijing.
China's Olympic gamble August 21st, 2008
The World's Mary Kay Magistad reports from Beijing that foreign visitors to the Chinese capital have generally had a positive experience during the Olympics, despite lingering concerns over pollution and the lack of freedoms in China.
Which sports are worthy of the Olympics? August 21st, 2008
The World's Katy Clark reports on the nebulous process by which some sports are deemed worthy of the Olympic Games and some are not.
Disabled people in China August 20th, 2008
The World's Mary Kay Magistad reports that disabled people in China are drawing inspiration from disabled athletes competing in the Beijing Olympics.
Britain's Olympic glory August 20th, 2008
British athletes are doing well in Beijing. So well, in fact, that one British citizen is having a hard time coping with his country's change in sporting fortune.
Cyclist Chris Hoy won three gold medals for Britain
Play ball! August 19th, 2008
China and Japan don't always display good sportsmanship when their respective sports teams play each other. But Chinese fans were remarkably well-behaved when their Olympic baseball team was trounced by Japan. The World's Mary Kay Magistad reports.
Usain Bolt
Jamaica's super sprinters August 19th, 2008
Reporter Orin Gordon reports from Beijing on Jamaica's domination in short distance track and field events at the Olympics. There's a long tradition behind Jamaica's current top sprinter Usain Bolt.
Mistaken identity August 19th, 2008
Lisa Mullins explains why British swimmer Steve Parry caused a stir in Beijing's Tianamen Square. Fans there mistook him for Olympic medalist Michael Phelps.
China in shock August 18th, 2008 Liu XiangChina's defending 110m hurdles champion Liu Xiang shocked his nation when an injury forced him to pull out of the Olympics. Liu's Athens Games win made him a Chinese icon but he managed just a few strides in the heats in Beijing before pulling up with an Achilles injury. Anchor Lisa Mullins talks with Mary Kay Magistad in Beijing about Liu's exit:
Migrant workers August 15th, 2008
Construction is on hold in Beijing during the Olympic Games. That has left tens of thousands of migrant worker on unwanted vacation without pay. The World's Mary Kay Magistad has more.
Tab, The Calgary Sun
China's 'protest park' August 14th, 2008
China announced a few weeks back that it was designating three official protest zones in public parks. But park officials say no one's come, and some who have applied for permits have been detained. The World's Mary Kay Magistad reports from Beijing.
Canada's medal drought August 14th, 2008
Canada has yet to win any medals at the Beijing Olympics. Canadian reporter Simon Beck has come up with ten reasons why Canadians shouldn't worry about it. He speaks with anchor Lisa Mullins.
Highlights of day 5 from Beijing August 13th, 2008 Tom FordyceFourth and fifth gold for American swimmer Michael Phelps Michael who become the first Olympic athlete to win 10 gold medals and then claimed an 11th. Anchor Lisa Mullins gets the highlights from the Games in Beijing from the BBC's Tom Fordyce.
Indian gold August 12th, 2008 Abhinav BindraIndian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has lavished praise on Abhinav Bindra, the country's first individual Olympic gold medallist. Singh said that Bindra's achievement- he claimed the men's 10m air rifle shooting title - was a "golden performance". India, winners of eight field hockey gold medals, had never won an individual Olympic title before Bindra's success. The BBC's Tinku Ray tells us more about "India's Goldfinger."
Highlights of day 3 from Beijing August 11th, 2008
Anchor Marco Werman gets the highlights so far from the Games in Beijing from Olympics expert David Wallichinsky.
The push to make wushu Olympic August 11th, 2008 Actor Jet Li is a former wushu championChina had been pushing hard to make its martial arts or wushu, an Olympic sport. Now only an exhibition event and no medals will be presented. Some Chinese see this as cultural affront because Japan's judo and Korea's taekwondo became official Olympic sports when those countries hosted the Games. Others say wushu isn't ready for prime time. The World's Mary Kay Magistad reports.
Opening ceremony
On August 8th China presented a dramatic display of fireworks, music and dancing to mark the opening of the Beijing Olympics. Some 10,000 performers took part in the ceremony, watched on TV by an estimated one billion people, before athletes paraded around the national stadium.
Analysts say it is the most politicized Games since the Cold War era. The build-up to the event was dogged by worries over pollution and criticism of China's rights record.
Cartoonist Patrick Chapette's view of the start of the Olympics: globecartoon.com
Opening ceremony August 8th, 2008
The BBC's Tom Fordyce attended the opening ceremony and talked with Marco Werman afterward.
Olympic turf August 8th, 2008
After the ceremonies are over, the grass can go in. We hear from the man in charge of putting it in -- John "Trey" Rogers, Turf Science Professor at Michigan State University.
The Olympics from Sichuan August 8th, 2008
Beijing's Olympics have overshadowed other news from China, such as last May's massive earthquake. The World's Mary Kay Magistad travels to Sichuan province for an update on China's forgotten story: rebuilding after the earthquake.
U.S. vs China in basketball August 7th, 2008
The U.S. men's basketball opener vs. China on Sunday will be one of the most-watched Olympic events. The players on both teams are under pressure to do well during the Games. The World's Matthew Bell reports.
Jamilla Trindle reports on the Chinese government's efforts to prevent souvenir-sellers from selling pirated Olympic goods.
China rejects human rights criticism August 7th, 2008
Mary Kay Magistad reports on China's response to criticism of its human rights record. The government in Beijing says no one should interfere in China's affairs. And many ordinary Chinese don't understand why the West keeps criticizing China.
Beijing hotels not full August 7th, 2008
Anne Donahue reports that many hotels in the Olympic host city of Beijing aren't seeing the rush of customers they were anticipating. In fact, its not too late to get a cheap hotel room in Beijing.
Olympic torch arrives in Beijing August 6th, 2008
Marco Werman speaks with 21-year-old Beijing resident Lu Shan (known as Looloo) about her reaction to seeing the Olympic torch arrive in Beijing and about her generation's view of the Games.
Afghan medal contenders August 6th, 2008
The BBC's Alastair Leithead reports from Kabul on two of Afghanistan's four Olympic representatives in Beijing. The two are Tae Kwan Do athletes, and they're hoping to win Afghanistan its first-ever Olympic medal.
Running through Beijing's smog August 5th, 2008
BBC sports reporter Tom Fordyce put his own lungs on the line to sample the effects that air pollution could have on runners competing in the Beijing Olympics. His 10-K run through the Chinese capital left him with a serious cough.
China after the Olympics August 4th, 2008
Having the honor to host the 2008 Summer Olympics has been a huge source of pride and drive for the Chinese government. But in a matter of weeks, the Games will be over, and it's unclear what legacy the Olympics will leave behind. Anne Donohue reports.
Attack in China raises Olympic concerns August 4th, 2008
A suspected terrorist attack in a western Chinese province raised security concerns just days before the start of the Olympics. The attack happened on the far side of China, near the Afghan-Pakistan border but Chinese authorities think it could be timed to the games. We speak with the BBC's Daniel Griffiths in Beijing.
Olympic mascots August 1st, 2008
Mary Kay Magistad reports from Beijing on the "Fuwa", China's cute and cuddly Olympic mascots.
Global Hit: Zhou Yunpeng July 31st, 2008
Some Beijingers are tired of the Olympics before they've even begun. A Chinese folksinger named Zhou Yunpeng is singing their tune. Mary Kay Magistad reports.
China limits internet access July 30th, 2008 Foreign journalists in China to cover the Olympics have discovered that their Internet freedom is limited. The International Olympic Committee today admitted that Chinese authorities warned the IOC that journalists would not have unfettered access to the web. The World's Clark Boyd reports.
Sports and school in China July 30th, 2008
Childhood obesity is on the rise in China. So the government is trying to promote more sports in schools. But many Chinese kids are still below par when it comes to physical fitness. The World's Mary Kay Magistad reports.
China's responds to human rights report July 29th, 2008
Mary Kay Magistad reports on China's response today to anew report by Amnesty International that concludes that China's human rights situation has gotten worse -- not better -- in the run-up to the Olympic Games.
China's changing image July 29th, 2008
Marco Werman speaks with China expert Steven Goldstein about the many factors shaping China's image.
Pollution in Beijing July 28th, 2008
Host Marco Werman talks to The World's Beijing Correspondent, Mary Kay Magistad. Mary Kay's view from her apartment window stretches only one block, thanks to the smog that's enveloping the city. That's a problem for Beijing with the Olympic Games just eleven days away.
China's approach to sports July 25th, 2008
China is pushing its athletes hard to win. The World's Mary Kay Magistad looks at how China's approach to sports and physical activity is different from that of many Western countries.
China's approach to sports July 25th, 2008
China is pushing its athletes hard to win. The World's Mary Kay Magistad looks at how China's approach to sports and physical activity is different from that of many Western countries.
Commotion over tickets July 25th, 2008
The final remaining tickets for the Olympic games in Beijing went on sale in July. Long waits and excessive heat led to scuffles in some areas. Anchor Marco Werman explains.
Olympics protest zones July 23rd, 2008
Chinese Olympics authorities announced today that they're setting up special protest zones in public parks. But as The World's Mary Kay Magistad reports protesters will still be required to sign up with Chinese authorities in advance.
Olympic drug testing July 21st, 2008
Before the Olympics even begin there are concerns that Olympic anti-doping monitors won't be able to detect the blood-boosting drug EPO. Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with BBC science reporter Matt McGrath.
China prepares for Olympics July 21st, 2008
Explosions on two buses in the southern Chinese city of Kunming have rattled the image that China wants to present to the world in this final run-up to the Beijing Olympics. Correspondent Mary Kay Magistad reports that the explosions eclipsed the good news for travelers; new regulations went into effect yesterday to clear the air and thin traffic on the roads.
Yoga - an Olympic sport? July 11th, 2008 Yoga champion Esak Garcia
There is a movement to get yoga into the Olympics. But not everyone in the yoga community supports the idea. The World's Kristine Allington reports.
My World: Which sport would you like to see in the Olympic Gamess
