The Beijing Olympic Games closed on Sunday, as China passed on the flame to London.
Former IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch was in the habit of describing each Games as “the best ever”, with the notable exception of Atlanta in 1996.
His successor Jacques Rogge does not go in for such superlatives. He described Athens in 2004 as “unforgettable, dream Games” and on Sunday he pronounced the verdict on Beijing, saying they had provided “an exceptional Games”.
Perhaps that was a fitting phrase for an Olympics that began with an opening ceremony on an unparalleled scale and went on to provide highlights that will live on in the memory of all of us.
American swimmer Michael Phelps won eight gold medals, with a little help from his friends on the relay team, to break the record of seven at a single Games, achieved by Mark Spitz in 1972. Usain Bolt took the breath from all of us in the Bird’s Nest stadium when he won the 100 and 200 metres, breaking the world record in each.
Matthias Steiner broke our hearts by offering up his weightlifting gold to the wife he lost in a car crash, while Matt Emmons made us all gasp when for the second Olympics in succession he blew a certain gold medal with a ridiculous mistake on his final shot.
But were they the best Games ever? China provided us with a wonderful experience at and away from the venues and I will never forget the friendliness of the legions of volunteers, and the ordinary Chinese people too.
One thing that did get me after a while is that this was a Games that was taken extremely seriously, by everyone (apart from Usain Bolt).
Faster, Higher, Stronger goes the Olympic motto, and China seemed determined to host a Games with those goals in mind. They did it too, but I sometimes longed for an Eric the Eel in the pool, or even a cock-up in the organisation, just to prove that not even the Chinese are perfect when it comes to running a big event.
The short segment given to London 2012 during the closing ceremony promised a much more modest scale and perhaps a touch of irony and self-deprecation, what with the umbrellas and a double decker bus. I almost expected Austin Powers to come somersaulting out.
For now, though, let’s focus on China. The Games were brilliant, but were they the best ever? Please let us know in the comments.
PHOTO: Fireworks explode during the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, August 24, 2008. REUTERS/Claro Cortes
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Brilliant performance of course, outstanding standards. But as the years go on, technology imporves, so that more advanced and amazing things happens. And I agree, it isn’t really nessacery to compare with other cities. And no, the Chinese aren’t brates. At least they don’t get as jealous and are much more honest than the United Shits of America!
- Posted by MeDefinitely the best! Like a poster above said, the Chinese organisers never made it about politics, it was about showing the world who China was, what it represented and educating them in dazzling form. And with it, China learnt more about itself; the injury of Liu Xiang saw a nation unite in grief. Appreciate the Olympics for what it is, a unity of countries exhibiting humanity and compassion through the realm of sport, and it certainly did that.
Impeccable organisation, beautiful displays, it was just superb! A little spontaniety could’ve helped but hey, if that was the only factor missing, it was hardly noticed under everything else!
Well done China! And good luck London! Can’t wait!
- Posted by LuluNo, these were not the best games ever. They certainly had their fair share of spectactular moments but every games has that. Sydney 2000 still the best games ever.
- Posted by NathanOur country has done it’s best to host this event.
- Posted by zhI just hope that this Olympic could be a good memory.
Amanda, Communist China cannot afford to host another Game soon. The “human rights” noose is tightening around Beijing’s necks. It will check on its own blood and gall if the Chinese Communist Party is in the spotlight again. The lies and deceptions are unraveling. Thanks Montana for the recommendation of the Epoch Times. The persecution of Falun Gong is just horrendous which I have just located at http://www.faluninfo.net and Falun Gong practises truthfulness, compassion and tolerance. Free Tibet!! Free Falun Gong!!
- Posted by HongMy comment is found above.
- Posted by Ambani GuyiI have already done so.
- Posted by Ambani GuyiThe greatness of the game may not be in the physical appearance of the Bird Nest or or any outward show. Rather, Beijing 2008 stands out as the foremost venue of resolve, hard work and denouement of sportsmen and women who gave out their best ever. USA performance in the games is a proof to this: China came out better than her economic rival. So did hundreds of athletes from poor countries to whom such a game is an expression of a possible way forward towards a world of unity and prosperity.
- Posted by Ambani GuyiAmazing show indeed!! Just spare a thought for all the homeless Chinese and those living in poverty as a direct result of the Olympics. Check out http://www.theepochtimes.com. Shame! Shame! Shame!
- Posted by HongAs a Chinese, I would say that the Games have come far beyond expectation of most audience (including myself, of course), instead of claiming it the best Games ever.
- Posted by JamesChina has tried its best to just present a wonderful Game for people from all nations, despite different background of them.
Thanks to the Olympics Games, China has got the chance to be learned by outside and to learn from the other nations throughout the world. Though some institutes, or medias always look China with stubborn bias and ignorance, they should not fail to see the archievements and progress of China today.
Good luck to London, and I wish a success of you to host the 2012 Games.
How can it possibly be the best? The controversies surrounding the whole Games, leading up to and during the Games were just relentless… never seen before in the history of the Games. Only the IOC is fooled enough to think that a Communist State like China is going to play the democratic values of the Olympaid Games fair and square.
- Posted by MontanaEveryone enjoy the Beijing 2008. I hope China can host another game soon.
- Posted by AmandaI think this question is perhaps asked after every Olympics. I think you can only
- Posted by Gautam M.compare performances (since they are measured in terms of numbers) but not organization or ceremonies. In performances, Usain Bolt’s appears exceptional and so does Michael Phelps’ and perhaps these two records will be with us for a long time. But people must have been excited like now about Carl Lewis or Mike Spitz and hordes of others?
Each Olympics is the “best” at the time they end - its just a fact that our thoughts are focused to the current games. However after a few years most fade away to just a place and time (eg Atlanta 1996, Athens 2004) and are - to put it bluntly - forgettable. The noteable exceptions are: Barcelona 1992 and Sydney 2000. Both of which were exceptional.
- Posted by bahIn the end I think Beijing 2008 will end up like LA 1984 (forgotten), but only time will tell.
It’s definitely the best games for me. Because I was in the Bird’s Nest 14 hours ago, in the closing ceremony! Everyone is so happy and so excited, all the audiences, athletes, volunteers and performers, it was a huge party~ I will never forget the beautiful night.
- Posted by maryAlso because of Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps and all the athletes, they gave us the wonderful wonderful Games.
I feel that these Olympics were the best ever overall. From the caliber of the opening ceremonies, to the athletes, competition and now the closing ceremonies. It clearly shows that China has stepped it up and will be looking towards being one of the top economic powerhouse.
- Posted by John BenylinNo matter the best or not,for me it will be one of my best memories.
- Posted by SammiIt is definately the greatest game for China not only hosting a sport with so many venues but als achieve number 1 for the number of gold medals. Good Job China!
- Posted by TickleToeBESTBESTBESTBESTBESTBESTBESTBEST
- Posted by olympicmanman, this olympics got the most records broken, WHAT MORE CAN YOU ASK FOR?
the best opening and closing ceremonies ive see with my own eyes. energetic and spetacular performances
lets just home london will be half as good
“No authoritarian power like China, Russia, or even the current United States should be allowed to compete in the Olympics, let alone host them. The athletes were amazing but the Olympics have lost their meaning. If you remove the blindfold of patriotism and mob mentality, you can see the sad truth of it all.”
- Posted by Realist
I’m going to have to disagree with you “Realist”. The idea of the Olympics are that countries can come together despite their difference and compete in sports together, a representation of peace.
- Posted by Nestor