"Once derided as the 'sick man of Asia', China has returned to the Olympics for 24 years and set its name straight."
The International Olympic Committee said 43 world records and 132 Olympic records were broken during the games.
It was an the end of a journey that started tragically when head coach Hugh McCuthceon's father-in-law was stabbed to death prior to the start of the games.
The U.S. beat Spain, 118-107, in pool play. The Spanish team hung with the team chock full of NBA All- Stars and nearly pulled an incredible upset.
The U.S. women's basketball team won its fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal by thrashing Australia, 92-65.
Chinese coaches and gymnasts have repeatedly denied the accusations of lying about age.
It will be the first chance the Americans have to win an Olympic medal in baseball since claiming gold at the 2000 Sydney Games.
Todd Rogers and Philip Dalhausser gave the U.S. a sweep after Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh won the women's competition.
The United States, which has played in all four Olympic finals, also won gold in 1996.
Usain Bolt's fierce speed has lit up the Games and the absence of serious rivals makes victory almost a certainty so long as mishaps can be avoided.
© 2008