Beijing Olympics Close in Grand Style

BEIJING, Aug. 25, 2008— -- The closing ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics kicked off with a sky awash with fireworks and what seemed like a collective sigh of relief.

As athletes from all countries entered the National Stadium for the celebration they mingled and showed off their medals as the members of the Chinese government, Beijing organizing committee, and more than 90,000 fans cheered them on.

The lighthearted, celebratory atmosphere in the National Stadium was far more carefree than the much-anticipated, high-security opening ceremony Aug. 8. Yao Ming laughed and mingled with fellow athletes-turned-fans from around the world while Argentine, Japanese and German athletes cheered into the cameras.

After the athletes entered the stadium, the first order of business was the final medal ceremony for Kenyan men's marathon champion, Samuel Wanjiro, who shattered an Olympic record earlier in the day.

The passing of the Olympic flag from Beijing Mayor Guo Jinrong to London Mayor Boris Johnson was a symbolic beginning of an inevitable comparison of the Beijing and London Olympics in 2012.

The flag ceremony was followed by a rock 'n' roll performance complete with a red double-decker bus, soccer star David Beckham, and a cast of East End-style dancers, all imported from London. The urban-themed performance stood in stark contrast to China's more traditional opening ceremony.

After 16 days of competition, the International Olympic Committee lauded the Beijing games as an impressive success. IOC President Jacques Rogge, who officially closed the Games at the ceremony, praised China for an "impeccable" operation that had set the bar high for London.

"You have shown us truly exceptional games," Rogge told the crowd at a packed National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest.

Rogge stated the Beijing Games would leave a positive legacy for future generations. "You have shown us the unifying power of sport," Rogge continued. "The Olympic spirit lives in the warm embrace of competitive rivals from nations in conflict. Keep that spirit alive when you return home," Rogge said.