The Beijing Olympic Games drew to a close today after more than two weeks of competition.
The President of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge, has praised the way the Games were run.
'More than 40 world records were set, more than 100 Olympic records, and of course we had the two icons of the Games, Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt,' he said.
In a reference to China's human rights record, Mr Rogge said that the movement could not force changes in a sovereign state.
He also said the Olympics provided an educational experience for China and the rest of the world.
Mr Rogge pointed to heightened environmental awareness, greater enthusiasm for sport among Chinese and the new stadia in Beijing as the legacies for China.
At the end of 16 days of competition and 302 events, China had 51 gold medals, 15 more than the US on 36, with Russia winning 23 and Great Britain 19.
China tops gold table for first time
It is the first time China has won the gold medal count, although in total medals won the USA has 110 to China's 100.
For China, the investment of more than €27bn on the Games reaped handsome rewards.
They not only topped the gold medal count, but a near flawless organisation meant the controversies that marred the build-up largely slipped into the background.
Mr Phelps, with his unprecedented eight gold medals and seven world records, and Mr Bolt, the fastest man on earth winning three gold medals with three world records, were the headline stories.
The Beijing Games will come to a conclusion this afternoon with the Closing Ceremony.
7,000 performers will take part - less than half the number who participated in the Opening Ceremony.
During the event, the Olympic Flag will be handed over to London, the host of the next Olympics in 2012.
Speaking in Beijing, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he is confident that the London Olympics will be a great success.
To show off the next Games city, the London organisers were to introduce themselves to a global audience with the help of Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Leona Lewis and soccer icon David Beckham.
