gold medals

The Beijing Olympic Games have ended in a blaze of fireworks, with the largest share of gold medals going to the host country.

Chinese citizens and state media said that their success in holding the games for the first time would make China a more confident and open country.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

As the Summer Olympics in Beijing end, Chinese citizens considers the event a resounding success, and national pride goes beyond the gold medals won by Chinese athletes.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

This guy won eight gold medals in nine days.

How incredible is that?

Wow.

BEIJING — A journey that started four years ago after his six gold medals in Athens and included 17 swims over nine days here ended triumphantly for Michael Phelps on Sunday.

It's now six gold medals down and two to go for American Michael Phelps. The 23-year-old from Baltimore broke his own world record in winning the 200-meter individual medley.

Phelps now has won 12 gold medals in his Olympic career.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

Despite encountering some equipment trouble, American Michael Phelps won two gold medals in swimming events. Members of the U.S. swim team also captured the gold in a men's relay event.

Phelps now has more career gold medals than any other Olympian.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

The U.S. Olympic swim team struck gold in the 400-meter freestyle relay Sunday, beating the French team by a fingertip.

The victory lets Michael Phelps continue his quest to win a historic eight gold medals, but it was teammate Jason Lezak who clinched this medal with the fastest relay lap ever.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

Sebastian Coe competed at the boycotted 1980 and 1984 Olympics, winning gold medals at both. He's been a politician, serving as a member of Parliament in Britain.

He led London's winning bid for the 2012 Olympics and is now serving as the chief organizer of the games.