China basks in the glow of success of Games

By Paul Radford

BEIJING (Reuters) - The Beijing Summer Olympics closed on Sunday, basking in the warm glow of China's undoubted success in staging a supreme sporting spectacle which will be remembered as one of the Great Games.

China wanted to demonstrate to its own citizens and to the world it could put on a magnificent show and the mission was amply accomplished in 17 days of captivating action in which the spotlight stayed firmly on sport.

A sumptuous and spectacular opening ceremony on Aug. 8, peerless in its grandeur, announced Beijing's intentions and what followed permitted little scope for disappointment.

The futuristic stadiums, notably the deceptively massive Bird's Nest where the athletics, soccer final and opening and closing ceremonies were held, offered the perfect stage for the cream of the world's athletes to perform.

Every stage needs its leading actor and up stepped Usain Bolt and his merry band of Jamaican sprinters to steal the show.

Three gold medals and three world records in the 100 and 200 metres and 4x100 metres relay provided a unique haul for the dashing sprinter whose name lent itself so neatly to lightning references.

The equally innovative Water Cube indoor aquatic centre also became emblematic of the Beijing Games and another focal point for extravagant sporting achievement.

American swimmer Michael Phelps seemed bent on tearing up every Olympic record as he made the Water Cube his own, winning eight gold medals to eclipse Mark Spitz's 36-year-old record of seven golds at one Games.