In addition to staging a spectacular Olympic Games in Beijing, host nation China recorded their best ever Olympic results, leading the final medals table with 51 gold, 21 silver and 28 bronze. During the two weeks of Beijing, the Chinese team of 639 – their biggest ever - displayed impressive skills and a powerful determination.
In events traditionally strong for the Chinese, such as weightlifting, gymnastics, diving, table tennis, badminton, shooting and judo, they took 39 gold medals, and they also made breakthroughs in such events as archery, rowing, trampoline, fencing, sailing and women's gymnastics.
