The 29th Olympic Games in Beijing have come to an end and what an Olympiad it was: lots of new names, a whole basket of Olympic and world records. The closing ceremony was as good as the opening of the Games in Beijing. The Chinese proved that they are able to provide a top level organization of the Olympiad, infrastructure and accommodation. These Olympic Games established 43 world records and 132 Olympic records.
Medal Count
| Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total | |
| China | 51 | 21 | 28 | 100 |
| United States | 36 | 38 | 36 | 110 | Russia | 23 | 21 | 28 | 72 | Great Britain | 19 | 13 | 15 | 47 | Australia | 14 | 15 | 17 | 46 |
Although it is less likely that the political situation after the games will change and the accusation of human right organizations will end, but the resounding success of these Olympic Games definitely made a change in the history of sports. The media and viewers will keep in mind their heroes from Beijing. However, probably the whole world will keep in mind the names of two legendary athletes, who brought swimming and running event to a new level - Michael Phelps from the United States and Usain Bolt from Jamaica.
Phelps will always be remembered as world's fasted swimmer and the man that won a record number of gold medals at the Olympic Games (16). Bolt in his turn will be remembered as world's fastest runner who is the first since Carl Lewis in 1984 to win the men's 100m, 200m and 4x100m at a single Olympic Games.
Here are the successes of the two major athletes:
Usain Bolt (Jamaica) - The Bird's Nest, Beijing, China
100 meters - 9.69 seconds WR - 16 August 2008
200 meters - 19.30 seconds WR - 20 August 2008
4×100 meters - 37.10 seconds WR - 22 August 2008
- Asafa Powell (ex-100m world record holder)
- Usain Bolt (current 100m world record holder)
- Nesta Carter
- Michael Frater
Michael Phelps (United States) - The Water Cube, Beijing, China
400 meters medley - 4:03.84 WR - 10 August 2008
4 x 100 meters freestyle - 3:08.24 WR - 11 August 2008
- Michael Phelps
- Garrett Weber-Gale (100 meters freestyle Olympic gold medalist)
- Cullen Jones
- Jason Lezak (100 meters freestyle Olympic bronze medalist)
200 meters freestyle - 1:42.96 WR - 12 August 2008
4 x 200 meters freestyle - 6:58.56 WR - 13 August 2008
- Michael Phelps
- Ryan Lochte (200m backstroke Olympic gold medalist)
- Ricky Berens
- Peter Vanderkaay
200 meters butterfly - 1:52.03 WR - 13 August 2008
200 meters medley - 1:54.23 WR - 15 August 2008
100 meters butterfly - 50.58 - August 16, 2008
4×100 meters medley - 3:29.34 WR - 17 August 2008
- Aaron Peirsol
- Brendan Hansen
- Michael Phelps
- Jason Lezak