The Beijing Olympic Games, viewed by both the Chinese government and the Chinese people as a tremendous opportunity to showcase the economic development and modernization of the world's most populous country, have drawn to a close.

Sports fans everywhere were wowed by the athletic performances in China's capital. They saw Mr. Michael Phelps of the United States win a record eight gold medals in swimming events and the aptly named Jamaican sprinter Mr. Usain Bolt run 100 meters faster than any human in history, clocking a world record of 9.69 seconds. He also set a world record of 19.30 seconds in the 200-meter event.

Although Japan didn't win many gold medals, Japanese athletes turned in some fine performances. Mr. Kosuke Kitajima won two golds, swimming the men's 100-meter breaststroke in a world record time of 58.91 seconds and setting an Olympic record of 2 minutes 7.64 seconds in the 200-meter breaststroke. Japan also defeated the U.S. to win a gold medal in softball.