Special Report:2008 Olympic Games

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) talks with International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge (L) during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games closing ceremony held in National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 24, 2008. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) Photo Gallery>>>

Closing ceremony of Beijing Olympics

    BEIJING, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao and International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge were ushered into the Presidential Box on the VIP stand of the National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, in north Beijing on Sunday night.

Chinese President Hu Jintao waves as he arrives at the Presidential Box on the VIP stand of the National Stadium prior to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games closing ceremony in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 24, 2008. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) Photo Gallery>>>

    The closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games is scheduled to start minutes later in the stadium.

Chinese president: Beijing Games promote Olympic spirit

Chinese President Hu Jintao (2nd R front) hosts a banquet at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse for the foreign leaders and and international dignitaries who will attend the closing ceremony of Beijing Olympic Games, in Beijing, China, Aug. 24, 2008. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

     BEIJING, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao said here on Sunday that the Beijing Olympic Games have promoted the Olympic spirit of solidarity, friendship and peace.

    "The success of the Beijing Olympic Games is attributable to the concerted efforts of the Chinese people and people from the rest of the world," said Hu at a banquet for foreign leaders and international dignitaries who will attend the Games' closing ceremony on Sunday night.

    "The glory goes to the Olympic Family, to athletes who have competed hard, to volunteers from different parts of the world and to friends the world over who have been involved in the Beijing Olympic Games in various ways," Hu said in a toast at the banquet, held in the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in west Beijing.   Full story