Monday, August 25, 2008 - 12:48 AM

The Beijing Olympics, played out against a background of political intrigue and featuring 16 days of compelling and controversial action, has drawn to a spectacular close.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) chief Jacques Rogge described the Games as "truly exceptional" in a lavish closing ceremony at the Bird's Nest Stadium, which culminated in the handing over of the Olympic flag to Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, which will host the 2012 edition.

"Through these Games, the world learned more about China, and China learned more about the world," Mr Rogge said.

"These were truly exceptional Games."

The appearance of David Beckham on top of a red double-decker bus that unfolded into a hedge-clipped silhouette of London sent 91,000 fans into a frenzy in the futuristic Bird's Nest stadium.

The former England football skipper booted a ball off the top of a London bus before the Olympic flame was extinguished.

Kaleidoscope of colours


The London segment was woven into a spectacular ceremony that wrapped up a $US43 billion Games designed to showcase China's might, modernity and sporting prowess.

A ring of fireworks exploded round the rim of the stadium. Two giant drums were hoisted into the sky with two pairs of suspended drummers thumping out a hypnotic beat.

The stadium was turned into a kaleidoscope of glittering colours with 200 acrobats taking giant leaps and somersaulting across a stage on spring-heeled stilts.

Thousands of athletes poured in from all four corners of the stadium, blowing kisses and waving flags.

The towering figure of Chinese basketball player Yao Ming was seen grinning from ear to ear.

Beckham, brought up in east London, hailed Beijing's success but said before the ceremony: "I'm sure we will be better than them, without a doubt."

Britain's eight-minute chance to tell the world what the London Games would offer the world in 2012 featured guitarist Jimmy Page, who launched into the riff from 1970s classic "Whole Lotta Love".

He was joined in the Led Zeppelin classic by TV talent show winner and chart-topping singer Leona Lewis.

Queen Elizabeth also sanctioned a choral version of "God Save The Queen" backed by lush string arrangements.

Mr Johnson, his normally dishevelled blond hair carefully coiffed for the occasion, took over the Olympic flag and waved it proudly, especially after Britain's best gold medal performance for a century.

"This is a short, sharp shock that fires the starting gun for London," said organiser Martin Green, who rehearsed the British show for two weeks at a private airfield outside Beijing.

The Games saw China depose the United States as the new sports superpower.

At the end of the 16 days of competition and 302 events, China had 51 gold medals, 15 more than the United States on 36, with Russia winning 23 and Great Britain 19.

Australia finished with 14 gold medals.