Finally, the Beijing Olympic Games have come to a superb end.

Looking back on the Games' preparation, such a great success holding the world's top sporting event seemed unlikely.

China began its preparations in shaky fashion as obstacle after obstacle threatened to derail the event.

The worldwide torch relay faced numerous rallies calling for a boycott of the Games in light of human rights abuses in Tibet. Its readiness as the host was also heavily questioned by the international media over issues ranging from air pollution to food safety.

Back home, when it rains, it pours: a huge tremor devastated Sichuan province on May 12, killing more than 69,000 people in what was to become a national tragedy.

Then, four days before the Games were set to kick off, two men drove a dump truck into a group of jogging policemen and threw explosives into their barracks, killing 16 and casting dark shadows over the event's security preparedness.

Such formidable hurdles failed to dampen the spirit of the 1.3-billion strong nation. Instead, it was a baptism of fire.

China awed the world with a lavish and dazzling display at the opening ceremony in the iconic stage of the Bird's Nest stadium.

Then, Chinese athletes turned the sporting world on its head by fighting off their contenders from the beginning until the very end, allowing no letup.

Their efforts paid off as they won most of the gold medals up for grabs -- even in events they had never won before -- to dethrone traditional world No. 1 the United States, despite no icing on the cake following the abrupt withdrawal of Chinese hero hurdler Liu Xiang due to injury.

And, if one of the yardsticks to measure the success of an Olympics is how many records were set, then the Beijing Games has them in spades.

Michael Phelps of the U.S. made the Water Cube swimming pool his playground. He smashed at least five world records and made his mark on history by winning eight golds in a single Games.

Jamaican Usain Bolt was dubbed "Lightning" after obliterating three worlds in the 100-, 200- and 4x100-meter relay sprints.

Pole-vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia also enjoyed a triple charm by smashing her own world mark for a third time this season in the Beijing contest.

For those who love to see the Games as a global sports party, the 29th edition of the event also set a record with as many as 83 countries winning medals (as of Saturday), with 54 of the 302 events yet to be completed.

In the previous Olympics in Athens in 2004, 74 countries won medals, while Sydney held the previous record for most countries -- 80 -- winning Olympic medals. That's in line with the spirit espoused by International Olympic Committee founder, the late Pierre de Coubertin, who said: L'important n'est pas de gagner, mais de participer (The important thing is not to win, but to participate).

The Olympic flame will wind its way to London next for the 30th Games in 2012. And many hope the good and the great in Beijing will continue to unfurl when the Games come to the Victorian city after a 104-year absence.

Xie xie, Beijing; see you in London.

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