BEIJING - THE close of China's Beijing Olympics last night was spectacular like the beginning, but with less spectacle.

To be sure, the joy written on the faces of the Chinese was palpable, but so too was the relief over an event that marked their coming-out party as a First-World power.

The latter, the Chinese confirmed emphatically in Olympic competition, grabbing 51 gold medals, eclipsing the 36 won by world superpower, the United States, who finished second.

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