U.S. media praises "truly exceptional" Beijing Olympics

Source: Xinhua | 08-26-2008 08:44

NEW YORK, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- The closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics received wide coverage by most U.S. media outlets, with many praising the Games as the most memorable summer Olympics.

In its delayed broadcast, the National Broadcasting Company (NBC), which owns the exclusive broadcast rights to the Beijing Olympics, described the closing ceremony as the "closing party."

Bob Costas, who has hosted Olympic broadcasts for many times since 1992, described the Beijing games as "the most memorable Olympics ever."

"I have been fortunate to have been involved in many Olympics," Costas said. "In many ways, this has been the most memorable."

"Beyond the competitive drama, every Olympics provides a snapshot of a city and a country at a point and time. This one was more compelling than most, since China's rise and its ongoing transformation is the global story, not only of the moment, but likely of the foreseeable future," he said.

Costas praised the Chinese people's warmth and their efforts to show themselves to the world.

"No advanced degree in international relations is required to appreciate the genuine warmth of the Chinese people, the honest pride in their country, and how seriously Chinese citizens, from famous Olympians to everyday men and women, took this chance to show themselves to the world," he said.

NBC also covered the closing ceremony on its dedicated Olympics website.

In a piece titled "Truly exceptional Games," it said the Beijing Olympics made history "in virtually every regard."

"It was clear what was at issue here from the outset -- the very first drumbeats at the opening ceremony on Aug. 8 serving notice of China's arrival among the front ranks of the nations of the world, a station Chinese athletes emphatically underscored over the next two weeks, their performance topping the gold-medal chart, with 51," the article said.