Beijing, China -- (Sports Network) - The closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics on Sunday night ended 16 days of competition at a record-setting Games.

It featured a handoff to the 2012 London Olympics that included a quintessential red double-decker bus, trailed into the stadium by gold medal winners from Great Britain's track cycling team.

The bus converted to a stage, and Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page performed the band's "Whole Lotta Love" with pop singer Leona Lewis. Soccer star David Beckham kicked a ball into a crowd of onlookers.

Later, world-famous tenor Placido Domingo had a duet with Chinese singer Song Zuying.

The ceremony -- about two hours long -- was far shorter and far lighter in tone than the lavish four-hour production that opened these Olympics on Aug. 8.

Fireworks ringed the upper part of the National Stadium at the beginning and end -- typical for a closing ceremony -- and thousands of performers moved in unison on the floor of the "Bird's Nest" in choreographed moves that echoed the well-received opening.

Athletes entered National Stadium together, not country by country like in the opening ceremony.

"Tonight we come to the end of 16 glorious days which we will cherish forever," said International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge. "Thank you to China, to all the wonderful volunteers and to BOCOG (the Beijing organizing committee).

"Through these Games, the world learned more about China, and China learned more about the World."

London mayor Boris Johnson received the Olympic flag from Beijing mayor Go Jinlong, also typical of a closing ceremony. Both mayors waved the flag. But the ceremony lacked the international political presence of the opening, when U.S. president George W. Bush was among the heads of state in attendance.

The slow extinguishing of the Olympic flame ended a record-setting Olympics -- and the biggest in more ways than one.

A record 204 nations represented by at least one athlete. More women participated than in any other Olympics in history, including 48 percent of the United States team.

There were more than 130 Olympic records broken in Beijing, and 43 world records passed -- including seven by U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps in the Water Cube pool and three by runner Usain Bolt in the Bird's Nest.

An Olympic-record 87 countries won at least one medal, including firsts for Afghanistan, Mauritius, Tajikistan and Togo. Bahrain, Mongolia and Panama won their first-ever gold medals, and India claimed its first individual gold.

The Games were popular around the world, especially with a formerly dwindling U.S. Olympic audience captivated by, among other things, Phelps' successful chase of the gold medal record for a single Games.

The Beijing Olympics were broadcast to more people in more regions than ever, the IOC said. It was the first Olympics to have global digital coverage.

There were positives in other areas, as well.

Rogge's prediction at the start of the Olympics that there would be between 30 and 40 positive doping cases in Beijing, there were just six cheaters caught during the Games.

Of course, almost 40 were nabbed before the Olympics started.

And it wasn't for lack of testing: Under a stringent new plan, the IOC had performed more than 4,600 urine and blood tests through the end of last week, up from the 3,500 performed in Athens four years ago. There were 26 positive tests at the 2004 Olympics.

Spectators turned out across the board. And although attendance didn't quite reach the sold-out status that had been reported before the Olympics started, the numbers more than tripled from the beginning of the Games to the end, the IOC said.

There were unfortunate sporting incidents, the last and perhaps most serious coming when a Cuban athlete kicked a taekwondo referee in the face following a disqualification on Saturday night. But there were also plenty of positive examples of Olympism, especially between teams from the warring countries of Russia and Georgia.

Of course, outside the spectrum of athletics there were real-world issues. Despite the promise of designated protests areas, every application for demonstration was either denied or withdrawn.

Unauthorized protests, especially concerning China's contentious relation with Tibet, were dealt with swiftly by authorities. Journalists caught in the middle were roughed up.

But the Games unfolded without any major security issues, something that was a concern leading up to them.

BEIJING GAMES HAVE SET THE BAR VERY HIGH, ROGGE SAYS

Beijing, China (Sports Network) - Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee, summed up his views on the Beijing Olympics on Sunday, speaking to the media for the final time at these Games.

Rogge said he was "extremely pleased" by the organization of the Games, which were highlighted by state of the art venues and "impeccable" operations.

"It is clear that China has set the bar very high", said Rogge. "It's going to be a challenge not only for (2012 host) London, but also for all the successive Games."

The leader of the IOC also spoke about the legacy of these Games and what hosting the Olympics will mean for China in the long run.

"Through the Games, China has been scrutinized by the world and has opened up to the world. The world has learned (about) China and China has learned about the world," he said.

One specific improvement that Rogge has been impressed with and believes will continue long after the Olympics is China's newly-acquired "heightened awareness" about its growing nation's affect on the environment.

Rogge believes, as he was told by Achim Steiner, executive director of United Nations Environment Program, that China's environmental advances, while spurred on by the arrival of the Games are not short term. Rogge said the country of 1.3 billion people will continue to "positively influence the climate and the environment in all of China."

Of course, Rogge wasn't allowed to only speak about the bright side of these Games, as members of the press brought up many of the controversies that have arisen before and during the Beijing Olympics.

One of the possible scandals involves the ages of certain Chinese gymnasts, who, according to media reports, were too young to compete at these Games. After the story showed up in the Times of London, the IOC asked the International Gymnastics Federation to make an inquiry on claims that some of the athletes were under the 16.

"The eligibility of the athletes is the responsibility of the federation, not of the IOC, but, of course, we considered this to be a very serious issue," Rogge said.

The FIG has said passports were accepted as proof of age of a gymnast's eligibility, but the federation has now requested additional documents from the athletes in question, including birth certificates.

"They (FIG) have received the documents and at first sight it seems to be okay," said Rogge. "The federation wants to examine them thoroughly because they are established in Chinese, of course. They will report to us as soon as possible."

China won 14 medals, including nine golds, in the artistic gymnastics competition here in Beijing.

Rogge was also asked about the so-called "protest zone", which failed to produce a single protest despite 77 applications submitted for demonstrations.

"We found it unusual that none of these applications have come true with protests," Rogge said.

One specific case was brought up concerning 79-year-old, Wu Dianyuan, and her neighbor Wang Xiuying, who is 77, registered disabled and nearly blind. The women were kicked out of their homes to make way for Olympic-related development. Not only did they have five applications for protests denied over the last two weeks, but they were also eventually found guilty of disturbing public order and sentenced to one year reeducation through labor, which they will be allowed to serve at home.

"This was an application of Chinese law," said Rogge about the cases of Wang and Wu. "The IOC is not a sovereign organization, we have to respect Chinese law."

As far as doping cases go, Rogge believes that the decreased number of positive cases at the Beijing Games is due to a deterrent effect from a higher number of tests and stiffer penalties. The IOC president also believes that the fact that there were 39 positive cases in the month leading up to the games is a sign that individual federations are more effectively policing their sport.

So far, there have been just six athletes who tested positive for banned substances at the Beijing Games, down from 26 from Athens. However, as of Sunday morning, samples have only been verified from athletes competing up until Wednesday's events, so the number could conceivably increase.

On a lighter note, Rogge was asked once again about his criticism of Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, who won three gold medals and also broke three world records on the track in Beijing. Last week, the IOC chief chided Bolt's celebrations and dancing after those victories saying, "He should show more respect for his competitors and shake hands."

However on Sunday, Rogge referred to Bolt in his opening address as one of two "icons" of the Games, the other being American swimmer Michael Phelps.

When asked about Bolt on Sunday, Rogge said, "I take it with a big smile. I gave Usain Bolt what I believed to be fatherly advice. I don't want to enter into a further polemic. I stand by what I said...He is a young man of 22. He has time to mature."

Overall, Rogge seemed to be very proud of the success of Beijing's Olympics, but remains optimistic that the next Summer Games will be able to exceed those heights.

"I believe, and my hope will be, that London can even set the bar higher so we have this constant evolution and improvement of the Olympic Games," he said.

However, Rogge did not say if he will still be the IOC's president when the London Games roll around. His current term expires in 2009 and said he will notify the organization on his future plans in October.

REDEMPTION: DEFENSE STRUGGLES, BUT U.S. MEN BEAT SPAIN FOR GOLD

Beijing, China (Sports Network) - The defense withered, allowing the most points ever scored against an American group in a men's Olympic basketball game, yet the Redeem Team accomplished its goal in Beijing with a spectacular offensive performance on Sunday.

Yes, the U.S. is back atop the basketball world.

Dwyane Wade scored 27 points and Kobe Bryant added 20, including 13 in the final quarter, to guide the United States to a 118-107 win over a depleted, but enthusiastic, Spain squad in the gold medal game.

"This feels great," said Wade. "We haven't won gold in eight years. A lot of people doubted that NBA stars could play together."

Before Sunday the most points the U.S. men allowed in an Olympic game was 96, and that was an eight-point win over Lithuania in the bronze medal game four years ago.

Despite the defensive woes, the offense was spectacular for Mike Krzyzewski's team, going 13-of-28 from three-point range and shooting 60 percent overall.

"After I got into foul trouble early, I played a little cautious," said Bryant. "But in the fourth quarter, Coach K told me to let that momma loose, and that's what I tried to do."

Rudy Fernandez had 22 points and Pau Gasol 21 for Spain, which was within four points late in the final quarter.

The U.S. beat Spain, 119-82, in pool play, but despite the loss of guard Jose Calderon (groin), the Spanish team hung with the team chock full of NBA All- Stars and nearly pulled an incredible upset.

Since the introduction of the Dream Team in 1992, the U.S. had won every gold medal in men's basketball until the bump in the road in Athens four years ago. Then came a bronze finish at the 2006 world championships. Sunday though brought redemption.

A left wing three-pointer from Fernandez had Spain within 91-89 less than two minutes into the final quarter, capping nine straight points for his team.

The U.S. showed its resolve and pushed the lead back to 11 midway through the fourth on a layup by LeBron James, but Spain came charging back again, getting within 108-104 on a Carlos Jimenez three-ball from the right corner with 2:25 remaining.

Wade then spotted up and drained a big three from the left side, and Jimenez misfired on a long-distance shot. After a Juan Carlos Navarro free throw, Bryant's runner in the lane and two free throws from Chris Paul with 47.7 seconds left had the spread at 115-105, effectively sealing the win as the Americans breathed a sigh of relief.

James added 14 points, while Paul and Carmelo Anthony each added 13 in the victory.

"We've been so blessed with this opportunity," said James. "It's so rewarding to see your hard work pay off."

Navarro had 18 points, while Jimenez had 12, Marc Gasol 11 and Felipe Reyes 10 for Spain.

"We were close, they were a bit concerned," said Marc Gasol. "But Kobe and Dwyane got the ball and they were hot."

The medal was the 109th of the Beijing Games for the USA, its most in a full participation Olympic Games. The gold medal was the 36th for the United States in Beijing, matching the total received at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

Navarro's free throw expanded Spain to a 22-17 lead with 4:18 left in the opening quarter, but the U.S. put in the next nine points to take the lead for good.

Paul converted a three-point play to start the run and it ended on Wade's fast-break basket.

Wade's three-pointer in the final seconds of the opening stanza expanded the margin to 38-31 and the U.S. continued to fire at will from long distance in the second, starting with one from Bryant.

The lead grew to as many as 14 in the second, at 58-44 following a James three-ball, but Spain battled back to close within 69-61 at the break.

The fast-break style kept the game close throughout much of the third quarter until the U.S. gained a double-digit lead in the closing two minutes

Argentina won the bronze medal, defeating Lithuania despite the absence of its best player. Manu Ginobili, a star player for the NBA's San Antonio Spurs, missed the bronze medal game with inflammation in the left ankle, but his country was still able to post an 87-75 victory over the Lithuanians.

Carlos Delfino picked up the slack with Ginobili out, as he led the Argentines with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Luis Scola added 16 points and Andres Nocioni chipped in 14 despite being hampered by a quadriceps injury.

Ramunas Siskauskas led Lithuania with 15 points and Rimantas Kaukenas added 14.

This marks the second-ever Olympic medal for Argentina in men's basketball after winning gold four years ago in Athens. Lithuania, which won bronze at the 1992 Barcelona Games, was also seeking its second medal.

US BEATS BRAZIL FOR GOLD IN MEN'S VOLLEYBALL

Beijing, China (Sports Network) - The United States men's indoor volleyball team beat Brazil in four sets Sunday to win the gold medal at the Beijing Olympics.

The Americans rallied back from an opening-set loss for a 20-25, 25-22, 25-21, 25-23 victory and their first Olympic medal in men's indoor volleyball since winning a silver at the 1996 Games in Atlanta.

Brazil was trying for an indoor volleyball gold medal sweep after its women's team defeated the U.S. in four sets on Saturday night.

Earlier on Sunday, Russia defeated Italy in straight sets for the men's bronze.

The Americans won gold in men's volleyball for the first time since back-to- back first-place finishes in 1984 and '88.

They rallied together for a perfect 8-0 record after a family member of head coach Hugh McCutcheon was stabbed to death in downtown Beijing on the first day of competition.

McCutcheon, whose father-in-law was slain by a Chinese attacker, returned to the team for the last five games.

"I think when that kind of thing happens, the guys get a good taste of what's important in life," said American Sean Rooney. "We were crushed by that. I mean, when you go out on the court, it's just a game of volleyball."

But the U.S. team battled back from being crushed to win the gold medal for the first time in 20 years.

Along the way were five wins in nine days, including a five-set victory against Venezuela on Aug. 10 -- two days after to tragic killing of Todd Bachman, father of former U.S. women's team member Elisabeth Bachman, who is McCutcheon's wife.

Then, three wins in the medal round, including victories against Serbia and tough Russia. And finally, Sunday's comeback win over the Brazilians.

"For four years these guys have played for the common goal -- to be here for this match," said Rooney. "We put so much effort and energy into this thing and we spent so much time together.

"Now it has happened for us."

ZOU SNATCHES FIRST-EVER BOXING GOLD FOR CHINA

Beijing, China (Sports Network) - Zou Shiming won China's first-ever Olympic gold medal in boxing on Sunday, beating Mongolia's Serdamba Purevdorj in the final of the light-flyweight class Sunday.

Zou hit Purevdorj with a combination of punches in the first round, earning one point. The fight was then stopped in the second round because Purevdorj had a shoulder injury.

It was Zou's second Olympic medal, as he won bronze in Athens four years ago.

"After a very good preparation I wanted to deliver to the spectators a wonderful show, but I did not expect that my opponent would get injured," said Zou. "However, the gold medal is the most important thing."

In fact, Zou's performance was the 50th gold medal for the host country at these Games. It is the seventh time that one nation has won at least 50 gold medals at one Olympics. The U.S. set the all-time record at Los Angeles with 83 gold medals.

Later it was Zhang Xiaoping's turn and he won China's second gold in boxing with an 11-7 decision over Ireland's Kenny Egan in the light heavyweight category.

Mongolia's Badar-Uugan Enkhbat won the gold medal in the bantamweight class by defeating Yankiel Leon Alarcon of Cuba, 16-5.

Alexey Tishchenko of Russia won the gold medal in the lightweight division, beating France's Daouda Sow on points, 11-9. Tishchenko, who won the featherweight gold medal in 2004, became the fourth boxer to win an Olympic gold in two different weight divisions.

The shock of the tournament though came from one nation, Cuba, which failed to win a boxing gold medal for the first time since 1968.

Carlos Banteaux Suarez was Cuba's last chance at gold, but he lost 18-9 on points to Kazakhstan's Bakhyt Sarsekbayev in the welterweight division.

Despite the lost chance at a title, Cuba won four silver and four bronze medals at these Games.

Italian Roberto Cammarelle added Olympic gold to his world super heavyweight title with a fourth-round stoppage of China's Zhang Zhilei. Cammarelle was easily ahead on points when the bout was stopped because of a blow to Zhang's head.

US WATER POLO LOSES GOLD TO HUNGARY

Beijing, China (Sports Network) - Hungary earned its third straight Olympic championship in men's water polo and its ninth gold medal in the sport overall, defeating the United States, 14-10, at the Beijing Games on Sunday.

The Hungarians once again proved their dominance in the sport, going 7-0-1 in group play and the knockout round combined. The tie came in pool play against Montenegro, which was later demoted to the bronze medal match with a semifinal loss to Hungary.

Meanwhile, the U.S. won its sixth medal in men's water polo, but first since taking back-to-back silvers in 1984 and 1988. The Americans were aiming for their first-ever gold in the event.

"We didn't play the game we wanted to play," said Tony Azevedo of the U.S. "They took some great shots and were great on offense, but we came out a little flat at the beginning of the game."

Peter Biros and Daniel Rudolf Varga each had three goals for Hungary, which connected on 14-of-30 shots in the game.

Despite the loss, Tony Azevedo had an excellent game for the U.S., tallying four goals on five attempts. Layne Beaubien and Jesse Smith added two goals apiece for the Americans.

The Hungarians jumped out to a 6-4 lead in the first quarter, scoring four goals with the extra man in the opening period. But the U.S. was able to keep it close and went into the half trailing by just one at 9-8.

However, the Hungarians turned up the pressure in the second half, outscoring the Americans, 5-1, over the final two quarters.

Beaubien scored the first goal of the third quarter to tie the game at 9-9, but Hungary then scored the next five goals to open a 14-9 advantage with 2:16 left in the fourth quarter. Varga had three goals in the decisive stretch for the Hungarians.

Smith's second marker closed out the scoring with 1:28 left.

The defending silver medallists from the Athens Games, Serbia and Montenegro, are now competing separately in the Olympics and battled each other for the bronze medal earlier Sunday.

Serbia won the defensive battle against Montenegro, 6-4, behind a pair of goals from Dejan Savic.

Mladjan Janovic also had a pair of goals in the losing effort for Montenegro.

KENYA'S WANSIRU WINS MARATHON WITH OR

Beijing, China (Sports Network) - Kenya's Samuel Kamau Wansiru won the men's marathon Sunday morning in Olympic-record time.

Wansiru finished the race in 2 hours, 6 minutes and 32 seconds to claim the gold medal and lower the previous Olympic marathon record set by Portugal's Carlos Lopes by 2 minutes and 49 seconds.

Lopes' record of 2:09.21 had stood since the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

Morocco's Jaouad Gharib won the silver medal in 2:07.16 and Ethiopia's Tsegay Kebede took bronze at 2:10.00.

Wansiru ran much of the end of the race by himself, including the last stretches in Beijing's Olympic Green compound. He entered National Stadium -- the "Bird's Nest" -- to cheers from the crowd, made his way around the track and crossed the finish line with his arms outstretched above him.

It would be 44 seconds until the next competitor finished.

"I had to push the pace to tire the other runners," said Wansiru. "I had to push the pace because my body gets tired in the heat when I slow down."

Beijing's notoriously hazy air was replaced by blue skies and clouds in the days leading up to the marathon. It was warm and humid for the race, but otherwise pleasant.

The conditions were very good," said Wansiru. "It was a little humid, but I was able to pull away because I had enough power and speed to overcome it."

His win represented the 14th medal won by Kenyans in Beijing, and the fifth gold. It was the country's first-ever Olympic gold medal in the marathon.

"In Kenya, we have many medals," said Wansiru, "but I'm glad to have this one."

To claim the bronze medal, Kebede had to pass fellow Ethiopian Deriba Merga on the track inside the Bird's Nest. Merga slowed to a jog, and Kebede passed him by. Merga finished 11 seconds later in fourth place.

"I felt happy," said Kebede, "because I didn't expect that."

Dathan Ritzenhein was the top American finisher, coming in ninth place 2:11.59. Teammate Ryan Hall, winner of the U.S. men's Olympic marathon trials, finished behind him in 10th place at 2:12.33.

FRANCE WINS HANDBALL GOLD

Beijing, China (Sports Network) - France won its first-ever gold medal in handball, taking the men's competition at the Beijing Olympics with a 28-23 victory over Iceland on Sunday.

Bertrand Gille led France with five goals, while Cedric Burdet and Luc Abalo each added four markers. Prior to this gold, the French won their handball medal, on the men's and women's side, with a bronze at the 1992 Barcelona Games.

Iceland, meanwhile, was trying for its first-ever gold medal at an Olympics, winter or summer, and couldn't change that in Beijing. Olafur Stefansson scored five goals to lead Iceland, while Arnor Atlason added four tallies.

The Icelanders held just one lead in Sunday's game, going ahead, 3-2, nine minutes into the first half. However, France scored seven of the next eight goals and eventually carried a 15-10 lead into halftime.

The French led by as many as nine on a few occasions in the second half en route to the gold medal win.

Earlier on Sunday, Spain won the bronze medal match, posting a 35-29 victory over Croatia, the gold medalists from the Athens Games. The Croatians lost to France in the semifinals to end their chances of becoming the first country to repeat as Olympic champions in men's handball.

RUSSIA REIGNS SUPREME IN GROUP RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS

Beijing, China (Sports Network) - Russia reigned supreme in team rhythmic gymnastics for a third consecutive time at the Olympics, edging a squad from China on Sunday.

Each group performed a pair of routines, one using five ropes, and the other using two clubs and three hoops.

Russia had mistakes on the first day of qualifications, but the country, the current world champions, soared in the finals to take the gold medal, winning with a total of 35.55 points. That was just ahead of China's 35.225 total. Belarus won the bronze medal with 34.9 points.

"We are overwhelmed with emotion," said Russia's Elena Posevina. "It took a lot of training and it's been a long road. We are yet to fully comprehend this victory."